Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Surgery
The pontiff announced Sunday that a small, early-stage nodule was found on his lung and will be surgically removed in the coming days.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered. The Vatican stated the lesion was found at an early stage and is circumscribed, with an expected recovery time of one week.
The American pontiff made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessing, thanking the crowd for their support and asking for their prayers. Leo has no prior known health issues and is described as physically active. He has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru scheduled for November 6-17.
In his remarks, Leo stated that during a recent medical check, "doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed. The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it."
He added, "The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers."
Leo is expected to undergo the procedure at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, which has a dedicated papal apartment and has treated his predecessors. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed support from the Italian government for the Pope during this time.
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21, 2025, following a prolonged hospitalization due to a respiratory crisis that led to double pneumonia. Francis had a history of chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth.