Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Surgery After Nodule Detected

Pope Leo XIV announced that doctors have identified a small nodular lesion in his lung and that he will undergo surgical removal in the first days of the week. The pontiff, who is 71 and described the lesion as "circumscribed" and detected at an early stage, said he is following medical advice and thanked the faithful for their prayers.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed the surgery will be performed at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, which has a dedicated apartment for the pope, but did not specify the exact hospitalization date. Recovery is projected to last roughly one week.

Medical experts explained that lung nodules are common and often benign, though imaging cannot always distinguish them from malignant growths. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist, said surgical removal can provide a definitive diagnosis when the nodule’s location and the patient’s health permit it. Dr. Massimo Di Maio, president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology, noted that early detection improves the chances of curative treatment and that further therapy, such as chemotherapy or radiation, would depend on whether the nodule is malignant and if it has spread.

The pope, who is known for regular physical activity including tennis and swimming, has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17. He indicated he intends to proceed with the itinerary, though the impact of the surgery and recovery on the travel schedule remains unclear.