On Tuesday morning, Pope Leo XIV will be admitted into Rome’s Gemelli Hospital where he will have surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung.

The Director of the Holy See Press Officer — Matteo Bruni — confirmed to journalists that Leo will go into hospital “late in the morning” on Tuesday.

Bruni also said that Leo’s hospital stay is likely to last approximately one week.

During Sunday’s Angelus, Leo said doctors had found a “small, localized nodule” on his lung.

Leo attended all his meetings Monday morning, but was not able to make the afternoon session of the conference marking the tenth anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Amoris laetitia.

Speaking at a briefing at the Holy See Press Office, Father Giacomo Costa explained that, as a result, several changes would be made to how the conference would take place, which finishes on Wednesday.

Costa, who is a consultor to the General Secretariat of the Synod and involved in the organization of the conference, said that Wednesday’s scheduled mass would now be said by Cardinal Antonio Tagle, new Dean of the College of Cardinals, instead of Leo.

“During the Mass, we will pray especially for the Holy Father’s health, as well as for families,” Costa said.

Costa also explained that Leo’s illness would have an impact on the synthesis report to be prepared after the conference is finished.

Leo had originally planned to listen to the conference’s conclusions before offering his thoughts, which he is now unable to do.

He has asked that the report not be published as originally planned because he wants to read it and then give his reflection, which he will do when he is out of hospital.

“I think this desire of his to listen is beautiful,” Costa said.

Well wishes flood in

Following Sunday’s announcement, well wishes from across the world were sent to Leo.

Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster and President of the bishops’ conference of England and Wales, said that the Catholics of England and Wales were praying for Leo.

“We pray that following the procedure and a period of recovery, he will soon be restored to health. I have sent a message on behalf of all in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, assuring him of our prayers,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan also sent a message.

“We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world. At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem,” he said.

“On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support. We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery,” he added.

Bishops from Thailand, the Phillipines, Spain, the United States, Canada, and more, all sent messages expressing their closeness to Leo, as well as leaders from other Christian denominations.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, the diocese of Leo’s birth, invited Catholics in his diocese to pray for the pope.

“Please join me and the people of the Holy Father’s home diocese in praying for his swift and complete recovery. May the Holy Spirit guide the hands of the surgeons and may the Blessed Mother hold Pope Leo in the days ahead as he returns to full health,” Cupich said.

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