Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery

Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small growth discovered in his lung during recent medical examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development on Sunday, while addressing worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his weekly Angelus prayer. Blueprint reports

According to the Pope, the growth, described medically as a lung nodule, was detected at a very early stage and was well localised. He said doctors had recommended surgery and that he had decided to follow their advice.

“During some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained,” the Pope said.

He added that his medical team considered it appropriate to remove the growth, with the operation already scheduled for the coming days.

“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he told the faithful.

The announcement marks the first major publicly disclosed health concern of Pope Leo’s papacy, which began in May 2025 following his election as leader of the Catholic Church.

Vatican expects week-long recovery

The Vatican has indicated that the Pope is expected to recover for approximately one week following the operation.

The surgery is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including his predecessor, Pope Francis.

However, the Vatican has not disclosed whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant. Further medical examination, including analysis of the removed tissue, may be required to establish its nature.

A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue in the lung that may be detected during medical imaging. Such growths can have several causes, and many are non-cancerous. Their significance depends on factors including their size, appearance, location and the patient’s medical history.

The decision to remove the growth does not, by itself, establish that it is cancerous. The Vatican has not announced a cancer diagnosis, and no conclusion about the nature of the Pope’s condition should be drawn before further medical information becomes available.

The pontiff’s announcement was delivered calmly during his Sunday address, as he thanked the faithful for their concern and prayers ahead of the procedure.

Pope’s health raises questions about upcoming engagements

The planned surgery has also drawn attention to the Pope’s busy schedule, particularly his planned 11-day pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.

The visit is expected to take him to several Latin American countries as part of his pastoral responsibilities. The Vatican has not confirmed whether the surgery or recovery period will affect the itinerary.

Pope Leo referred to the planned journey during his Sunday address before speaking about his medical condition, indicating that the trip remained part of his schedule at the time.

The extent of his recovery and any subsequent medical advice will be important in determining whether adjustments are necessary. For now, no official announcement has confirmed a change to the planned visit.

The Pope, who was born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 8, 2025.

Since his election, he has maintained a demanding programme of religious services, meetings and public engagements. He is also known to enjoy physical activities, including tennis and swimming.

World leaders, Catholics offer prayers

The announcement has prompted expressions of support for the pontiff from religious leaders and public figures.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her personal support and that of the Italian government as the Pope prepared for the operation.

She said the calmness with which he addressed the development was reassuring and conveyed her good wishes as he faced the medical procedure.

Catholic leaders and faithful have also called for prayers for the Pope’s health and recovery, with messages of solidarity emerging from different parts of the world.

The announcement has drawn particular attention because Pope Leo has not previously disclosed a major health concern during his papacy. His predecessor, Pope Francis, experienced several serious health complications before his death in April 2025.

However, the circumstances surrounding the two pontiffs’ health are different, and there is no basis for assuming that Pope Leo’s condition will follow the same course.

What is known about the lung nodule?

The key information released by the Vatican is that the growth was detected during recent medical checks, was described by the Pope as localised and was found at an early stage. Doctors recommended its removal, and the pontiff agreed to undergo surgery.

The Vatican has not provided further details about the nodule’s size, exact location or suspected cause. It has also not disclosed whether additional treatment will be required after the operation.

Medical experts note that lung nodules can be benign or malignant, and imaging alone may not always provide a definitive answer. Depending on the clinical circumstances, removing and examining a nodule can help doctors establish a diagnosis and determine whether further treatment is necessary.

Until the Vatican releases additional information, the precise medical implications of the finding remain unknown.

Pope asks faithful to keep him in their prayers

Despite the health development, Pope Leo’s message to the faithful centred on gratitude, trust and prayer as he prepared for surgery.

His decision to disclose the condition offered the public an update ahead of the procedure, while the Vatican’s announcement of an expected recovery period provided an initial indication of the anticipated interruption to his schedule.

The coming days are expected to bring further information about the operation and his recovery.

For now, the Catholic Church and its faithful are being asked to keep the pontiff in their prayers as he prepares to undergo surgery to remove the lung growth.