Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery this week to remove early-stage lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that doctors found a small nodule on his lung during recent medical checks and that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove it. He described the growth as detected at a very early stage and well localised. The announcement came during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square, the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.

The Vatican press office said the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the facility that has treated previous popes. Expected recovery time is about one week. The Vatican has not said whether the nodule is believed to be malignant. A lung nodule is a localised lesion smaller than three centimetres that is often benign. The American Thoracic Society notes that fewer than 5 percent of lung nodules overall prove cancerous, though risk rises with age and other factors.

Leo, 71, told the crowd he was following medical advice and asked for prayers. He later posted the same message on social media. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the calmness with which he spoke was reassuring and offered the closeness of the Italian government. In Chiclayo, Peru, one of the cities he is scheduled to visit, residents expressed hope he would recover in time to travel.

The pope has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. He said on Sunday he still intends to make the journey. It is unclear whether the surgery and recovery will alter that itinerary. He may miss the closing Mass on Wednesday of a conference on family ministry, Vatican officials indicated.

Leo is younger than most recent popes. Francis was five years older when elected and Benedict XVI was 78. Leo is not known to have had previous major health issues and maintains an active routine that includes weekly tennis and swimming at Castel Gandolfo. His decision to announce the surgery himself during a public address marks a contrast with earlier pontiffs who released health news through the press office.

The nodule was found during routine examinations. Doctors recommended removal because it was circumscribed and early. The procedure will take place in the papal suite at Gemelli. No further clinical details have been released beyond the statements already made.

The immediate consequence is a short interruption of the pope’s public schedule and continued uncertainty about the November Latin American trip until the post-operative assessment is complete. Catholics in the countries on the itinerary are already watching for confirmation that the visit will proceed.