Pope admitted to hospital for surgery to remove lump on his lung

Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for surgery to remove a lump on his lung, detected during what the Vatican has described as "routine checks".It said the operation would take place on Tuesday afternoon. The 71-year-old pontiff was met at the hospital by a large crowd, some of whom had been waiting outside for several hours to catch a glimpse of him.They cheered greetings and well wishes as he passed, waving and smiling back through the lowered back window of his car.He was then met by staff on the hospital steps. "I'm sorry," one of them commiserated, to which the Pope gave a smile and a shrug. "We're here for you," he was assured.It was Leo XIV himself who on Sunday announced news of his operation to the world, speaking from the balcony in St Peter's Square after delivering the traditional Angelus blessing.He said the nodule, or growth, on his lung was "contained" and had been found "at a very early stage", but that doctors had advised him to have it removed.The Vatican said the Pope would be operated on by the Gemelli's thoracic surgery team and promised an update on his condition on Tuesday evening.