Pope Leo XIV is preparing to undergo surgery after doctors discovered a nodule on his lung during a medical check-up, with the Vatican confirming that the operation is expected to take place in Rome in the coming days.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the finding during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday. He told the gathered public that doctors had identified an early, well-localised nodule and recommended surgery.
“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” the Pope said, explaining that his medical team believed it was appropriate to intervene. He added that he had agreed to the procedure.
Pope Leo sought to reassure those gathered in the square, describing the mass as well-contained and detected at an early stage. He ended his prayer by thanking people for their spiritual support and asking them to continue praying for him.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told the media that the operation was scheduled for the first days of the following week. He added that the Pope was expected to need approximately one week to recover.
The procedure is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a major medical centre that has treated several popes. The hospital has a dedicated suite for the pontiff, which was established after the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II and remains available for papal medical care.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her support for Pope Leo as he prepares for the operation. In a message posted on X, she conveyed her personal solidarity with the pontiff as he faces the medical challenge ahead.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the 267th pope on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. His election made him the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
Before becoming pope, Leo spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he worked with local communities, including people living on the margins of society. His experience in the country has remained an important part of his public identity and connection with Latin America.
The planned surgery comes ahead of a pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November. Pope Leo confirmed during Sunday’s Angelus that the trip was still scheduled to go ahead. The Vatican has not announced any change to the itinerary following the news of his operation.
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue in the lung, often discovered during a chest X-ray or CT scan. Such nodules can have several causes, including previous infections and inflammation. Many are non-cancerous, although some require further investigation or treatment depending on their appearance, size and the patient’s medical history.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the Pope’s nodule is benign or malignant, and no diagnosis beyond the discovery of the nodule has been announced. His decision to undergo surgery follows the advice of his medical team, with the expected recovery period set at approximately one week.
