Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small lump discovered on his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff shared the news himself during his weekly Angelus address to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, maintaining a calm and reassuring tone.
He explained that doctors found the nodule during a routine medical check-up. Fortunately, the mass was caught at a very early stage.
“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told pilgrims from his window overlooking the square. He added that his medical team strongly advised him to have it removed, and he agreed to go ahead with the procedure. The Pope sought to reassure the faithful, emphasizing that the lump is small, well-contained, and poses no immediate cause for panic.
A Familiar Hospital Suite
This unexpected medical update comes nearly a year and a half after Leo took office. He succeeded the late Pope Francis, who also struggled with recurring respiratory issues that required several hospital stays during his papacy.
According to the Holy See, the surgery is set for early next week. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told reporters that the Pope is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week to recover.
The operation will take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. This hospital is familiar ground for the papacy. It houses a specialized, private suite on the tenth floor that was originally put in place for Pope John Paul II after he survived an assassination attempt in May 1981. Since then, it has served as the default medical facility for popes needing inpatient care.
The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday was warm but quiet as the Pope spoke. Thousands of pilgrims had gathered under the Roman sun to hear him speak, unaware of the health update he was about to deliver. Leo’s frank, calm delivery on Sunday seemed designed to head off any wild rumors before they could start, reflecting a modern approach to Vatican transparency.
Global Well-Wishes and Support
News of the upcoming operation quickly drew supportive messages from political and religious figures worldwide. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “personal solidarity” with the Pope as he prepares for the ordeal. Italian President Sergio Mattarella offered his warmest wishes for a smooth, rapid recovery, hoping the pontiff would soon return to full health. From Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog also sent a message wishing him a swift and complete recovery.
Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, made history when he was elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome. He is the first citizen of the United States to lead the Catholic Church. Ordained as a priest in 1982, he spent many years serving as a missionary in Peru, where he gained a reputation for his close work with impoverished and marginalized communities.
Travel Plans Unchanged
Despite the scheduled surgery, the Vatican says the Pope’s upcoming travel plans remain unchanged. He is still set to visit South America in November, with stops planned in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The tour will mark a significant return to the continent where he spent so much of his early ministry.
Local Church leaders in South America are already rallying behind him. Daniel Sturla, the Archbishop of Montevideo, said that preparations for the apostolic visit would push forward with even “greater enthusiasm” and urged Catholics to keep the Pope in their prayers during his recovery.
A lung nodule is a small, localized growth of tissue in the lung. Most are non-cancerous, and they are usually detected during routine imaging, such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan. Because the Pope’s nodule was flagged at such an early stage, doctors are optimistic about a straightforward procedure and a full recovery.
Before wrapping up his Sunday prayers, the Pope thanked the crowd for their spiritual support and asked them to keep praying for him as he prepares for his stay in the hospital.