Pope Leo XIV Announces Surgery to Remove Early-Stage Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV told pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule on his lung. He said the growth was found during recent medical checks, detected at a very early stage, and is well localised. Following the advice of his doctors, he decided to have it removed. The Vatican press office confirmed the procedure is planned for the first days of this week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and that the expected recovery period is about one week.

This is the first major health event of the 71-year-old American's 17-month pontificate. He became pope in 2025 after the death of Francis. Leo made the announcement himself during the Angelus, thanking the crowd for their closeness and asking for their prayers. Vatican officials indicated he might miss the closing Mass of a conference on family ministry scheduled for Wednesday, though the rest of the Curia's work will continue.

The nodule is described as small and circumscribed. Medical literature notes that most lung nodules are not cancerous, though the Vatican has not released further details on the nature of the growth beyond the pope's statement that it was caught early. Leo has maintained an active lifestyle, including tennis and swimming. He said he still intends to proceed with a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November, though the surgery and recovery could affect the itinerary.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the calmness with which he spoke was reassuring and expressed the government's closeness. Argentina's bishops' conference called for special prayers. The Gemelli Hospital has treated previous popes, including John Paul II and Francis, and maintains a special apartment for the pontiff.

Leo has been more transparent about his health than some predecessors. By delivering the news himself in a public setting, he controlled the initial message. No date has been given beyond the coming days, and no further medical bulletins have been issued. The expected one-week recovery suggests a relatively contained procedure, though hospital stays for pontiffs often involve additional monitoring.

The announcement comes as the pope continues a busy schedule of audiences, addresses and preparations for international travel. Any delay or cancellation of the Latin American trip would affect plans already under discussion with the host countries. For now, the Vatican has limited its public statements to the timing and the expected length of recovery. Further updates are expected once the operation is complete.

Catholics worldwide have begun offering prayers. The episode is the first significant health interruption since Leo took office and will test how the Holy See manages public information during a papal hospitalisation.