Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery for Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a nodule discovered on his lung, the Vatican announced Sunday. The pontiff, who is 71, revealed the health development during his noon prayer in St. Peter’s Square, stating that a "small, localized nodule" was found during medical checks.

"It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed," Leo told the assembled crowd. He added that doctors believe it is "best to take action," though the Vatican did not specify a date for the procedure. The pontiff indicated he would proceed with his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru early next month, though he might miss Wednesday's closing of a family ministry conference.

Lung nodules, also known as pulmonary nodules, are small spots on the lungs that typically measure less than 10 millimeters in diameter. They appear as round white masses on chest X-rays or CT scans. Some nodules are described as having "ground glass opacity," appearing hazy, while others are solid. According to Northwestern Medicine, nodules are found in up to half of adults who undergo chest imaging.

While most lung nodules are benign and do not cause symptoms, larger or cancerous nodules can lead to shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, fatigue, or recurring respiratory infections. Statistics indicate that 95% of nodules are noncancerous, and those that do not grow over a two-year period are generally considered benign. However, most lung cancers originate as nodules.

Risk factors for developing lung nodules include smoking, older age, a history of respiratory infections, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Causes can range from clusters of immune cells (granulomas) to benign or cancerous tumors and scarring from smoking or inhalation of irritants.

Diagnosis typically occurs when nodules are incidentally found during a chest X-ray or CT scan. Doctors evaluate nodules based on size, shape, borders, and composition to determine if further tests like additional imaging, blood tests, or a biopsy are needed. A biopsy may be recommended for nodules larger than 9 millimeters, for current or former smokers, individuals over 65, those with a personal or family history of cancer, or those exposed to asbestos or secondhand smoke.

Treatment depends on the cause. Infections may be treated with antibiotics or antifungal medications. Benign nodules might be monitored with routine CT scans or surgically removed. If a nodule is cancerous and has spread, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be required.