Pope Leo XIV Schedules Lung Nodule Surgery

Pope Leo XIV said he will have surgery within the next few days to remove a nodular lesion found in his lung during recent medical examinations. The 71-year-old pontiff described the nodule as small, well-localised and detected at an early stage, and said doctors recommended removal.

"The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers," Leo said during his Sunday noon blessing. The Vatican confirmed the operation will take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where previous popes have received treatment, and expects a recovery period of about a week. Leo, who remains physically active with weekly tennis and swimming, has an upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for 6-17 November, though it is unclear if the surgery will affect those plans. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope, noting the "serenity and calm" with which he addressed the situation.