Pope Leo revealed on Sunday his plans to undergo surgery in the upcoming days to remove a nodular lesion detected in his lung during recent medical examinations. The 71-year-old Pope informed the public that the nodule was discovered early and is well-contained. The Vatican disclosed that the surgical procedure is scheduled for the beginning of the week, with an anticipated recovery period of about a week.
During his customary Sunday noon blessing, the American-born Pope made the announcement, expressing gratitude to the gathered crowd for their support and requesting their prayers. A lung nodule, an abnormal small area typically measuring less than three centimeters, can appear on a chest or abdomen CT scan. This finding is often incidental to the primary purpose of the scan, which could be for investigating trauma or lung infections rather than for lung cancer screening.
Elected by the cardinals worldwide in May 2025, Pope Leo is considered relatively young among Church leaders and has been known for his good health and active lifestyle, which includes weekly tennis matches and swimming at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. Despite his planned major trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, it remains uncertain if the surgery and recovery process will impact the scheduled itinerary. Nevertheless, Pope Leo affirmed his intention to proceed with the journey during his Sunday remarks.
In his address delivered in Italian, Pope Leo shared, “doctors identified a small, localized nodule in my lung during a recent medical evaluation. It was detected at an early stage and is well-contained. Following medical advice, I have opted to undergo surgery to have it removed.” He expressed appreciation for the spiritual support received and entrusted himself to the prayers of well-wishers.
Before discussing his health situation during his Sunday address, Pope Leo acknowledged the upcoming pastoral visit and thanked Catholics for their prayers regarding the planned trip. Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, passed away on April 21, 2025, from a stroke after a prolonged hospitalization due to a respiratory crisis evolving into double pneumonia. Francis had a history of chronic lung disease and underwent partial lung removal in his youth.
Pope Leo is set to undergo surgery at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, a facility where previous Popes, including Francis, received medical care, and which features a dedicated area for pontiffs. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited Francis during his final hospitalization, expressed support on behalf of the Italian government for Pope Leo as he faces this medical challenge in the upcoming days. She commended his composed demeanor while addressing the situation.
A lung nodule is a localized abnormality on the lung that may be benign, as per the American Thoracic Society. They state that less than five percent of lung nodules are cancerous overall, with risk factors including age, nodule size, and other considerations.