Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days following the discovery of a nodule on his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff shared the news with the public during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter's Square, Rome. He explained that the nodule was detected during a routine medical checkup and described it as being in an early stage and well-localised.
According to the Pope, his medical team advised that intervention is the appropriate course of action, a recommendation with which he has agreed. He sought to reassure pilgrims by emphasizing that the mass is well-contained. Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that the surgery is scheduled for the first days of next week at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a facility that has maintained a dedicated Papal suite since the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. The Pope is expected to require approximately one week for his recovery.
Following the announcement, several world leaders extended their well-wishes to the pontiff. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her personal solidarity via social media, while Italian President Sergio Mattarella offered his hopes for a peaceful recovery and a full return to health. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery. The Pope concluded his Angelus prayer by thanking the public for their spiritual closeness and asking for their continued prayers.
Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, became the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter in 2025 and holds the distinction of being the first American to serve in the role. Despite the upcoming medical procedure, the Pope confirmed that his planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November remain on schedule. Daniel Sturla, the Archbishop of Montevideo, noted that preparations for the trip will proceed with increased enthusiasm while calling for prayers for the Pope’s health.
Medical guidance from the National Health Service notes that a lung nodule is typically a small lump of tissue identified through chest X-rays or CT scans, and in most cases, these nodules do not present additional symptoms.
He was ordained in 1982 and spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he is remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities.
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