Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule
publishers 81articles 86first reported 11 Oct, 10:25 UTCdeveloping since 11 Oct · 12 editionstop 25 #2
Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule found on his lung during a recent medical examination.
The 71-year-old pontiff announced the procedure during his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square. He said the nodule had been detected “at a very early stage” and was well localized. Doctors recommended intervention, and Leo agreed to have it removed.
The Vatican said the operation is scheduled for the first days of the week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where popes traditionally receive medical care. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Leo’s expected recovery time is about one week. The Vatican has not said whether the nodule is cancerous.
“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” Leo told the crowd.
Leo has an international trip planned for Nov. 6-17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. He reiterated Sunday that he intended to make the trip, although the Vatican has not detailed whether the surgery could affect his schedule.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her personal support and that of the Italian government as the pope prepares for the procedure. Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American pope in May 2025.
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