Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days after doctors discovered an early-stage nodule on his lung during a medical check-up.
The 71-year-old pontiff shared the update during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square in Rome, reassuring pilgrims that the nodule was localised and had been detected at an early stage.
“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told the gathering, adding that his medical team believed surgery would be the appropriate course of action.
The Pope said he had agreed to the procedure and thanked those who had offered prayers and support. His announcement brought attention to his health as the Vatican prepared for the scheduled operation.
Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the procedure was planned for the first days of the following week. The Pope was expected to need approximately a week to recover, according to the spokesperson.
Pope reassures pilgrims about his condition
During the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo sought to reassure the faithful that the medical finding had been identified early.
He described the nodule as well-contained and said doctors had recommended intervention. His remarks indicated that the medical team had assessed the finding and advised surgery, although no further clinical details were provided in the announcement.
The Pope concluded his prayer by thanking people for their “spiritual closeness” and entrusting himself to their prayers.
The announcement was made in the presence of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square, one of the most prominent locations for public appearances by the head of the Catholic Church.
The Vatican’s statement provided a preliminary outline of the planned treatment and recovery period. However, it did not specify the precise nature of the nodule or provide additional information about the surgical procedure.
Surgery planned at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital
According to Vatican News, the operation is scheduled to take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a major medical institution that has treated several popes.
The hospital has a dedicated papal suite that was established following the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in May 1981. The facility remains available for the medical care of the pontiff.
Gemelli Hospital has played an important role in the treatment of popes over the decades. Pope John Paul II received extensive medical care there following the assassination attempt, while Pope Francis was also treated at the hospital during his pontificate.
Pope Leo’s planned operation will place him under medical care as doctors address the lung nodule. The Vatican has indicated that the pontiff is expected to require about a week to recover.
Further information about his condition and the outcome of the procedure would depend on updates from his medical team and the Holy See.
What is a lung nodule?
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue in the lung that may be detected during medical imaging or other examinations.
Lung nodules can have several causes, including inflammation, infections, scar tissue and, in some cases, cancer. The discovery of a nodule does not by itself establish a cancer diagnosis.
Doctors assess such findings based on factors including their size, appearance, location, changes over time and the patient’s medical history. Depending on those findings, they may recommend monitoring, additional tests or a procedure to obtain more information or remove the affected tissue.
In Pope Leo’s case, the Vatican announcement described the nodule as early and well-localised and said his medical team had recommended surgery. It did not identify the cause of the nodule or state that the Pope had been diagnosed with cancer.
The distinction is important because the medical significance of a lung nodule depends on the findings of further clinical assessment.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost and succeeded Pope Francis in 2025, becoming the 267th occupant of the papal office. He is the first American to become pope.
Ordained as a priest in 1982, he spent many years serving in Peru, where he worked as a missionary and became associated with pastoral work among marginalised communities.
His experience in Peru helped shape his work within the Catholic Church, including his engagement with local communities and efforts to build bridges across social and cultural divides.
Before his election as pope, Prevost held senior responsibilities within the Church. His election in 2025 marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church, bringing an American-born pontiff to the leadership of the global institution.
Since becoming pope, Leo has continued to carry out the responsibilities of the papal office, including public prayers, religious observances and engagement with Catholics around the world.
Vatican expected to provide further updates
The announcement of the planned surgery has placed the Pope’s health in focus as the Vatican prepares for his treatment and recovery.
The initial information indicates that doctors detected the lung nodule early and recommended an operation. The expected recovery period is approximately one week, according to the Holy See Press Office spokesperson.
No further medical diagnosis was disclosed in the announcement, and the discovery of a lung nodule should not be taken as confirmation of a specific disease.
For now, attention will be on the procedure at Gemelli Hospital and any subsequent updates from the Vatican. The pontiff’s message to pilgrims remained one of reassurance and gratitude, with the Pope thanking the faithful for their prayers as he prepares to undergo treatment.