Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery Tuesday for Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday morning for surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical checks, the Vatican said.

The 71-year-old pontiff announced the procedure himself during his Sunday Angelus address in St Peter’s Square. He said doctors found a circumscribed nodule at a very early stage and recommended removal. He added that he had decided to follow their advice and that the operation was already planned for the coming days.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed on Monday that admission would occur late Tuesday morning. Officials expect roughly one week of recovery. The nodule is a small, localised growth; the Vatican has not said whether it is believed to be malignant. Fewer than 5 percent of lung nodules prove cancerous, according to medical guidelines, though risk rises with age and size.

This is the first major health event of Leo’s 17-month pontificate. He was elected in May 2025 after the death of Pope Francis. Leo is otherwise described as active, with regular tennis and swimming. The surgery will take place at Gemelli, the hospital that has treated previous popes and maintains a dedicated papal suite.

Leo said he still intends to make his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November. Officials have not confirmed whether the surgery and recovery will alter the itinerary. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed closeness to the pope and noted the calmness with which he spoke about the procedure.

The announcement was unusually direct for a pontiff. Leo used one of his most public weekly appearances to inform the faithful himself rather than through a later statement. Argentina’s bishops’ conference called for prayers for a successful operation and full recovery.

The Vatican said the discovery came during routine checks and that no particular symptom prompted the examination. Leo continued scheduled audiences on Monday before the planned hospital admission.