Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule detected during a medical check-up. The 71-year-old pontiff, who has not previously faced major health issues, has scheduled the procedure for the coming days. The surgery marks the first significant health challenge of his tenure.
Leo announced the surgery during a Sunday prayer in St. Peter's Square, stating the nodule is 'well-contained' and detected early. The Vatican press office confirmed the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week, with a recovery period expected to last about a week. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed personal solidarity with the pope as he faces the challenge.
The Vatican has not confirmed whether the nodule is malignant, though the American Thoracic Society notes that less than 5% of lung nodules are cancerous. The surgery comes amid a busy touring schedule, with Leo set to travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November. The Vatican has not altered plans for the trip despite the health issue.
The Pope's medical team has not provided further details on the nodule's nature, though the nodule is described as 'localised' and 'well-contained' in the reports.