Pope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks. The 71-year-old pontiff revealed the news during his Sunday noon blessing on October 11, stating that the nodule was found at an early stage and was circumscribed.
Surgery scheduled at Rome's Gemelli Hospital
A Vatican spokesman confirmed that surgery is scheduled for the coming week, with an expected recovery period of one week. The Pope is expected to be treated at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which has a special apartment reserved for the Pope.
According to the American Cancer Society, a lung nodule is a small abnormal area measuring less than three centimetres that sometimes appears on a CT scan of the chest or abdomen. Often, such scans are performed to investigate trauma or a lung infection, unrelated to a lung cancer screening.
Pope's health and upcoming travel plans
The Pope has no previously known health problems and is physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo. He has a major trip scheduled to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November. During his Sunday address, he asked for prayers for the visit to Peru.
The Vatican statement did not say what impact, if any, the surgery or recovery would have on the trip.
Background: Election of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, was elected pope on May 8, 2025. He is the first U.S.-born and Augustinian pope, succeeding Pope Francis, who had died on April 21. A conclave was held on May 7 and 8 to elect a new pope. On the fourth ballot, the conclave elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. After accepting his election, he took the name Leo XIV.
