Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone surgery to remove a “small, localised nodule” from his lung.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Holy See Press Office, published on the Vatican website, on Tuesday evening.

The 71-year-old pontiff entered the hospital smiling and waving on Tuesday morning, hours before the operation to remove the growth, which was described as resembling a coin on the lung.

“The procedure was successfully completed, within the expected time and in the planned manner,” the Vatican said in a brief statement.

“The Holy Father has returned to his room,” it added, saying further details would be provided later.

The surgery was done at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

“Further information will follow,” the statement read.

Recall that Catholics around the world offered prayers and sent goodwill messages on Sunday following the announcement by Pope Leo XIV that he would undergo surgery during the week to remove a lung nodule.

Addressing Catholics gathered for the Angelus at the Vatican on Sunday, the Pope disclosed that his doctors had discovered a “localised nodule” in his lung and recommended surgery.

He said the nodule was detected at a very early stage and was well localised.

Following the discovery, he said his doctors had advised him to undergo surgery and that he had decided to follow their recommendation.

The Pope called for prayers ahead of the surgery.

He said, “Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localised.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

“The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”

Catholic faithful, Christians and people of other faiths across different countries responded to the Pope’s call, with prayers and goodwill messages circulating on social media from Sunday till Tuesday that the surgery held.

The surgery marks Pope Leo’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

American rapper and music mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs, has reportedly been hospitalised after sustaining a head injury while serving his prison sentence in New Jersey, United States.

The 56-year-old was taken to a hospital on Saturday, October 10, and received treatment for what was described as a non-life-threatening injury, according to the Los Angeles Times, which reported the development on Monday.

The report, citing TMZ, said Combs was conscious and speaking before his hospitalisation.

Circumstances surrounding the injury have not been officially established publicly, PUNCH Online reports on Tuesday.

A representative for Combs told the Los Angeles Times in a statement, “We are aware of the reports concerning Sean Combs and are working to confirm the circumstances.

“Sean’s health and well-being are our immediate concern, and we appreciate everyone who has reached out.”

A spokesperson for the Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix, where Combs is serving his sentence, did not comment on the reported hospitalisation, the newspaper said.

The development comes days after Combs’ reported prison privileges attracted renewed media attention, including allegations that he received special meals and massages and had access to prohibited devices.

In a report published on October 2, the Los Angeles Times said NBC News had cited four anonymous inmates who alleged that Combs paid fellow prisoners to cook and clean for him and obtained access to a contraband mobile phone and an illegal stash of alcohol.

Combs’ representative disputed the media attention surrounding his prison conditions, telling NBC News, “The continued scrutiny of every mundane detail of Sean Combs’s life in prison has reached the point where the media characterizes ordinary prison life as news.”

The representative added, “The only real news is that Sean continues to serve his sentence while awaiting the court’s decision on his appeal.”

The reports about his prison conditions were followed by a change to his projected release date.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the date was moved from January 21, 2028, to March 2, 2028, based on the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate database.

Combs is serving a 50-month federal prison sentence after a jury convicted him in July 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

He was acquitted of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges.

The verdict followed a high-profile trial in New York that featured testimony concerning sexual encounters involving Combs, his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, and male sex workers.

Combs’ legal team has appealed his conviction and sentence. The appeal remained unresolved in the latest reports.

The reported hospitalisation adds another development to the legal and prison-related troubles facing the Bad Boy Records founder, whose career in music and business once made him one of the most prominent figures in American hip-hop.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM