Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery to remove a nodule in one of his lungs, just a few weeks ahead of his South American tour.
Leo XIV made the announcement at the conclusion of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, explaining that doctors had detected a nodule during recent checkups and recommended surgery to remove it.
“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung,” the Pope said. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it.”
He went on to thank his followers for their “spiritual closeness” and said he would entrust himself to their prayers.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday and is expected to stay there for at least one week. No other details have been confirmed by official sources regarding the diagnosis or the nature of the nodule.
Is the Pope’s visit to Argentina still on?
Leo XIV’s visit to Argentina is scheduled for November 8 to 11, as part of a South American tour that will begin in Uruguay and continue on to Peru.
The announcement of the surgery raised questions due to the short timeframe between the intervention and the start of the tour.
According to San Juan Archbishop Jorge Eduardo Lozano, however, the Pontiff remains keen on the trip.
In an interview with news outlet La Nación, Lozano said that after his private meeting with Leo XIV, he saw him “looking well and in good spirits,” that he “never put into question the trip,” and that he even told him, “see you soon,” as they parted.
The Argentine itinerary includes activities in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján. Key commitments include institutional meetings, religious celebrations, and a Mass outside the Luján Basilica, marking the return of a Pope to the country after nearly four decades.
At the time of writing, the trip and its official itinerary are confirmed by the Holy See.
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