Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery This Week to Remove Early-Stage Lung Nodule
Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that doctors found a localized, early-stage nodule on his lung and that he will have surgery in the first days of this week, with the Vatican expecting about a week of recovery. It is the first major health issue of the 71-year-old pontiff's tenure.
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a “localized nodule” on his lung that doctors discovered during recent medical examinations — the first significant health issue of the American-born pontiff’s year-and-a-half-long tenure.
“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung,” Leo told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer, according to Reuters. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained.”
“The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” he said. “The operation is already scheduled for the next few days.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the procedure would take place in the first days of this week and that the expected recovery time is about one week, according to Vatican News. Vatican News said the surgery will be performed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where Leo’s predecessors were also treated.
First known health issue
Leo, 71, has no known previous health problems and is considered physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, the Associated Press reported. Elected in May 2025, he is the first pope born in the United States.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21, 2025, at age 88, after a long hospitalization brought on by a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia, the AP noted.
The Vatican will continue to function normally during Leo’s recovery, but decisions needing the pope’s signature will be placed on hold, CNN reported. It remains unclear whether the surgery will affect Leo’s planned 11-day trip to South America from Nov. 6 through 17, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru; the pope indicated in his remarks Sunday that he still planned to go. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni offered her support to Leo, according to CNN.
Reporting based on coverage by Reuters, the Associated Press, CNN and USA Today.
