Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Surgery Following Early Detection of Nodule

According to BBC News World, pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days following the discovery of a nodule on his lung during a recent medical checkup. The 71-year-old pontiff, who addressed the public during his weekly prayers in St Peter's Square, stated that the medical team identified the mass at an "early" and "well-localised" stage.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the procedure is scheduled for the early part of next week at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Spokesperson Matteo Bruni noted that the pontiff is expected to require approximately one week for recovery. The Gemelli Hospital has historically maintained a specialized Papal suite for such medical procedures, a facility that has been in use since the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.

Despite the upcoming medical intervention, Pope Leo confirmed that his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November will proceed as scheduled. In response to the announcement, the Archbishop of Montevideo, Daniel Sturla, stated that preparations for the visit would continue with increased focus as he asked for prayers for the Pope's health.

Political leaders have shared public messages of support. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X that she offered her "personal solidarity" to the Pope, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed his wishes for a "peaceful recovery." Israeli President Isaac Herzog also issued a statement wishing the pontiff a "full and speedy recovery."

Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, became the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2025 and is the first American to hold the position. Prior to his papacy, he served as a missionary in Peru. Lung nodules, as defined by the National Health Service, are small tissue growths typically identified through chest imaging, such as X-rays or CT scans, and often do not present external symptoms.