Pope Leo XIV to have surgery in ‘coming days’ to remove nodule in lung

Pope Leo XIV plans lung surgery after early-stage nodule discovery

Usagevpn.com – Pope Leo XIV has said he will undergo surgery within the next few days to remove a nodule found in his lung during recent medical examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the planned procedure during his weekly appearance in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. He told those gathered that doctors had identified the nodule at an early point and determined that surgery was the appropriate course of action.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localised.”

He said he had chosen to proceed with an operation to remove it, adding that the procedure had already been arranged for the coming days.

“I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.”

Procedure expected at Rome hospital

The surgery is expected to be carried out at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital, a major medical centre that has previously treated popes. Vatican officials indicated that the operation is planned for early in the week.

The anticipated recovery period is about one week. Further details concerning the timing of the surgery, the nature of the procedure and the pope’s schedule during his recovery have not yet been made public.

The announcement places a temporary focus on Leo’s health only a year after he became head of the Roman Catholic Church. The Chicago-born pope was elected in 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.

What a lung nodule is

A lung nodule is a small area of dense tissue within the lung. Such nodules can appear during imaging examinations, including chest X-rays and CT scans, and may be found while doctors are investigating another issue or carrying out routine monitoring.

The American Lung Association describes a lung nodule as a small mass of dense tissue on the lung. Many nodules are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. However, some can be malignant, which is why doctors may recommend additional assessment or treatment when imaging results or a patient’s health history raise concern.

Medical evaluation can involve several methods, depending on the nodule’s size, appearance, location and other clinical factors. These can include repeat imaging, scans, tissue samples from the nodule or nearby lymph nodes, and in some cases blood tests. Surgery may be considered when physicians believe removing the tissue is the best way to address the finding or establish a clearer diagnosis.

Leo’s comments stressed that the nodule is localised and was detected early. No further information has been released about the medical assessment behind the planned operation.

A pause in a demanding public role

The pope’s duties combine pastoral leadership, regular public appearances, diplomatic engagement and oversight of the Vatican’s global work. A short recovery period could require adjustments to audiences, ceremonies and meetings in the days after the surgery.

For Catholics around the world, updates from the Vatican will likely be closely watched as the operation approaches. The immediate medical outlook described by officials has pointed to an expected recovery of roughly a week, although recovery plans can change depending on a patient’s condition after surgery.

Leo’s decision to speak openly during his weekly address gave worshippers and visitors in St. Peter’s Square a direct account of the situation. His remarks also underscored the importance of medical checkups in identifying health concerns before they become more advanced.

Additional information is expected once the surgery has taken place and doctors have assessed the pope’s recovery.