Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Nodule Surgery

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled for surgery to remove a small lung nodule that was detected early, the Vatican announced. The operation, which is the first medical procedure of his 17-month papacy, is slated for the early days of this week.

Leo, 71, is reported to be in good health and physically fit, with doctors indicating that early detection of lung nodules generally leads to an excellent prognosis. The nodule was discovered during routine medical tests, according to the Vatican.

Following the surgery, the pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for about a week for recovery at Rome's Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic. The facility, a Catholic teaching hospital, has a dedicated apartment for popes on its 10th floor, which includes a private chapel.

This procedure may impact some of Leo’s scheduled activities. While he is expected to attend regular meetings, his participation in a public Mass on Wednesday to conclude a family ministry conference is uncertain. Furthermore, the surgery's impact on a planned November trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remains unclear. The itinerary includes multiple flights and significant altitude changes.

The Vatican has no specific protocols for papal incapacitation, and even while unconscious during surgery, Leo will retain his papal authority. Historically, popes have continued to govern from the hospital, as Pope Francis and St. John Paul II did during their respective hospitalizations. However, advances in medicine and increased papal lifespans have raised questions about the need for clearer procedures should a pope become too ill to govern.

In a recent significant appointment, Leo approved Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the new dean of the College of Cardinals. The dean plays a crucial role in papal transitions, including presiding over funeral services and leading the conclave that elects a new pope.