Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule as Vatican Expects Week-Long Recovery

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Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery to remove a small nodule discovered in his lung, marking the first major health concern of his papacy. The 71-year-old pontiff revealed the development during his Sunday Angelus blessing at the Vatican on October 11, saying doctors detected the abnormality at an early stage and recommended surgery. The Vatican expects him to need approximately one week to recover.

The procedure is expected to take place at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital, which has treated previous popes, including Pope Francis. Although the Vatican has not announced the precise date of the operation, officials indicated it would take place in the early part of the week. The surgery could affect Leo’s immediate schedule, including a closing Mass planned for Wednesday at a conference on family ministry.

Medical experts have stressed that finding a lung nodule does not automatically mean a person has cancer. Such nodules are relatively common and are often benign, although their appearance on scans may not be enough to determine whether they are harmless. Doctors sometimes recommend surgical removal to obtain a definitive diagnosis, particularly when the nodule’s location makes the procedure appropriate. The Vatican has not said that Leo has been diagnosed with cancer.

The announcement has drawn attention partly because of the medical history of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who died in April 2025 after suffering a stroke following a prolonged hospitalisation involving double pneumonia. Francis also had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was young. Leo’s decision to disclose his condition personally during a public appearance has been viewed as an unusually direct approach to communicating information about a pope’s health.

Despite the planned operation, Leo has indicated that he intends to proceed with a major visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6–17. Whether the procedure will affect any part of the trip remains uncertain, although medical experts cited by the Associated Press said a straightforward recovery could allow him to travel as planned. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also expressed support for the pontiff as he prepares for surgery.

For now, the Vatican’s expectation of a week-long recovery offers a preliminary timeline, but further details about the operation and the nature of the nodule have not been disclosed. The focus remains on the pope’s treatment, recovery and ability to resume his public duties.