Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a localized nodule from his lung. Medical professionals discovered the abnormality during a recent examination, and the 71-year-old pontiff has opted to proceed with the procedure based on their advice. Addressing the public during his traditional Sunday noon blessing, the Pope confirmed that the nodule was detected at a very early stage.
The Vatican stated that the operation is scheduled for the early part of the week, with the pontiff expected to require approximately one week for recovery. The surgery will take place at Rome's Gemelli hospital, a medical facility known for treating previous heads of the Catholic Church. Leo, who maintains a physically active lifestyle that includes swimming and tennis, noted that he has no other known health concerns.
The medical intervention comes shortly before a significant overseas trip, with the Pope scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. While the Vatican has not provided specific details on how the surgery might impact his upcoming itinerary, the Pope indicated during his Sunday remarks that he still intends to move forward with his travel plans. Speaking in Italian, he told the public, “The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it.” He further requested the spiritual support and prayers of the faithful as he prepares for the procedure.
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