VATICAN CITY, Italy- Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule detected in his lung during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff announced the procedure after Sunday’s Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, saying doctors found the nodule “at a very early stage” and that it was well localised.
He said doctors advised surgery and that he had decided to follow their recommendation.
The operation is scheduled for the coming days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to Vatican News.
The Vatican has not said whether the nodule is cancerous.
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue that can have several causes; its detection does not by itself confirm cancer.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the procedure was expected to take place early next week and that the Pope would likely remain in hospital for about a week, Vatican News reported.
Pope Leo thanked the faithful for their support and said he was entrusting himself to their prayers.
The surgery will be his first major medical intervention since he became pontiff in May 2025.
