Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will have surgery soon to remove a nodular lesion found in his lung during recent medical evaluations.
The 71-year-old pontiff mentioned that the lesion was detected early and is described as “circumscribed,” which I think means it’s well-defined and localized.
The Vatican shared that the surgery is scheduled for the start of the week, with a projected recovery period of about a week.
Addressing the crowd during his Sunday blessing, Leo expressed gratitude for their support and asked them to keep him in their prayers.
As for his health history, Leo has not had previous known issues and generally leads an active life, playing tennis weekly and swimming at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
He has a significant trip planned from November 6 to 17, taking him to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. It’s uncertain whether the surgery and recovery will affect those plans, but he indicated on Sunday that he intends to proceed with the trip.
In Italian, he conveyed, “During a recent medical check, doctors found a small, localized 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.”
He further stated, “The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers.”
Interestingly, his predecessor, Pope Francis, passed away on April 21, 2025, following a stroke after a lengthy hospitalization due to a respiratory crisis that turned into double pneumonia.
Francis had a history of chronic lung disease and underwent part of a lung removal when he was younger. In contrast, Leo is expected to have his procedure at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, which has treated previous popes and has designated facilities for them.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was one of the few outsiders to visit Francis during his last hospitalization, voiced her support for Leo as he faces this upcoming challenge. She remarked that the “serenity and calm with which he spoke about it” were quite reassuring.
