Pope Leo leaves Vatican for hospital ahead of surgery on lung nodule

VATICAN CITY, Oct 13 (Reuters) Pope Leo left the Vatican on Tuesday ​in a convoy of ‌vehicles ahead of his expected admission to Rome s Gemelli hospital for surgery to remove a ‌small ​growth found ⁠on one of ⁠his lungs, the first major health issue of his 17-month tenure. Leo, 71, said ​on Sunday that the growth, a small nodule, ⁠had been ⁠found on a recent ​check-up, was well-contained and had been ​spotted early. The Vatican press office ‌has said the pope s recovery is expected to take about a week ⁠but has not specified when the actual operation will take place. ⁠All ‌of Leo s public ⁠events have been cancelled ​until ‌October 20. Rome s Gemelli ​hospital is ⁠about nine kilometers (5.6 miles) north of the Vatican. The drive usually takes under half an hour. (Reporting by ​Joshua McElwee)