Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery for Lung Nodule
Pope Leo XIV announced he will undergo surgery soon to remove a small, localized nodule found on his lung during recent medical checks. The Vatican stated the procedure is scheduled for early in the week and expects a recovery time of about one week. During an address at Sunday's noon blessing, Pope Leo emphasized that the lesion was detected early and described it as 'circumscribed,' indicating its well-localized nature. The 71-year-old pope has no known prior health issues and is physically active with regular tennis games and swimming. He plans to proceed with a major trip from November 6-17, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, though it remains unclear if the surgery will affect his schedule. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed support for Pope Leo as he faces this medical challenge. Pope Leo's announcement comes after his predecessor, Pope Francis, passed away in April 2025 following a prolonged illness involving respiratory complications.
Topics: lung nodule surgery Pope Leo XIV Vatican health update