Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule, marking the first major health issue of his 17-month tenure. The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the procedure during a public address, revealing a small, well-contained nodule detected during a health check.
The surgery is scheduled for October 13 in Rome, with a weeklong hospital stay expected. Vatican officials confirmed the procedure, noting that the nodule is likely benign, though further testing will determine its nature. Leo, elected in May 2025, has maintained a busy schedule despite the health update.
Vatican sources indicate recovery is expected to take about a week, with all public engagements postponed until October 20. The procedure aligns with standard medical protocols to assess the nodule's malignancy, emphasizing early detection and intervention.
The Vatican has not specified the exact nature of the nodule or whether it is cancerous, though oncologists note the low risk of malignancy given the early detection and Leo's generally good health history.