Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will have surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule on his lung that was recently found during a medical check-up. The 71-year-old said the nodule was caught at an early stage and is well defined. The Vatican later said Leo would have the surgery in the first days of this week, with an expected recovery time of about a week. The American pope made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessing. He thanked the crowd for their support and asked for their prayers.
A lung nodule is a small abnormal area less than 3cm (1in) that sometimes shows up on a CT scan of the chest or abdomen, according to the American Cancer Society. These scans are often done to check for trauma or a lung infection, not as part of lung cancer screening.
Leo has no known health problems and is considered physically active, playing tennis weekly and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo. The pope has a long trip planned to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6-17 November. It is unclear whether the surgery and recovery will affect the itinerary, but Leo said earlier in his Sunday remarks that he planned to go.
Speaking in Italian, Leo said that during a recent medical check, “doctors found a small, localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed. The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it. The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers.”
Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died on 21 April 2025 of a stroke after a long hospital stay brought on by a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. Francis had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.
Leo is expected to have surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where Francis and earlier popes were treated and where there is a special apartment for pontiffs. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of the few outsiders to visit Francis during his final hospital stay, expressed her support and that of the Italian government to Leo “as he faces this challenge in the coming days.” In a statement, she added that “the serenity and calm with which he spoke about it” were reassuring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding Pope Leo having surgery to remove a nodule from his lung
Note As there has not been a Pope Leo in modern history this FAQ is written based on the hypothetical scenario that the current or a future Pope Leo is undergoing this specific medical procedure The medical information provided is standard for lung nodule surgery
General Beginner Questions
Q What exactly is a lung nodule
A A lung nodule is a small round spot on the lung It is usually less than 3 centimeters wide It shows up on an Xray or CT scan as a white shadow Most nodules are not cancer but doctors often remove them to be safe
Q Why does the Pope need surgery to remove it
A Doctors usually recommend surgery if the nodule is growing looks suspicious or has a high chance of being cancer Removing it allows doctors to test the tissue and stop any potential problem early
Q Is this a dangerous surgery
A Any surgery has risks but lung nodule removal is a common procedure For a patient of the Popes age doctors will take extra precautions The risks are generally low and the surgery is often lifesaving
Q How long will the Pope be in the hospital
A Usually patients stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days after this type of surgery This can be longer for older patients who need more time to recover
Q Will the Pope be awake during the surgery
A No The surgery is done under general anesthesia which means the Pope will be asleep and feel no pain during the operation
Advanced Practical Questions
Q What is the specific name of the surgery he is having
A The most common surgery for this is a thoracoscopic wedge resection This is a minimally invasive surgery where doctors make small cuts and use a camera to remove the nodule If the nodule is deeper they might do a segmentectomy or a lobectomy
Q How do doctors know if the nodule is cancer before surgery
