Pope Leo XIV Plans Surgery for Lung Nodule
Early-Stage Growth Found During Medical Tests
Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will have surgery to remove a small nodule from his lung. Doctors found the growth during recent medical tests and believe it was caught at a very early stage.
The nodule is localized, meaning it is limited to one area of the lung. Medical specialists have advised the pope to have it removed, and the procedure has already been planned.
“Recently, during some medical tests, doctors discovered a localized nodule in my lung,” Leo said during his regular noon prayer at St. Peter’s Square. He explained that doctors believe surgery is the best choice.
“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” he said. “Following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.”
Recovery Expected to Take About a Week
The operation is scheduled to take place within the next few days. The expected recovery period is about one week.
Leo thanked the people gathered in the square for their support and asked them to pray for him. Thousands of people applauded after he shared the news. He then wished the crowd a happy Sunday.
The pope has no other publicly known health problems. He is physically active and regularly plays tennis, including weekly games.
Doctors have not described the nodule as advanced. Their decision to operate is based on its location and the early stage at which it was found.
Health News Came During a Call for Peace
Leo made the announcement at the end of an address that focused in part on the war in Ukraine. He called for an end to the fighting and urged safe movement of grain across the Black Sea.
He said millions of people depend on daily food supplies and that basic nourishment should not be used as a tool of war.
“The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war,” Leo said.
The pope’s comments connected his personal health news with a wider appeal for peace and humanitarian action. He also thanked the public for standing with him as he prepares for the operation.
Planned South American Visit May Need Review
Leo has a major trip planned to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The surgery and the time needed for recovery could affect those travel plans, although no final change has been announced.
A papal trip usually requires long flights, public events, meetings and large outdoor gatherings. Doctors and church leaders may need to decide whether the pope is ready for that schedule after his procedure.
For now, the focus is on the operation and his recovery. The estimated one-week healing period will give doctors time to watch his condition and decide when he can safely return to his normal duties.
Leo’s Background
Born Robert Francis Prevost, Leo became the first American pope. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and spent much of his religious career serving in Peru.
Before becoming pope, he led the Vatican office responsible for helping choose and oversee bishops. That position placed him among the church’s senior leaders and gave him wide experience in church administration.
Leo comes from a family with strong public service and religious ties. His father, Louis Prevost, served in the Navy during World War II and later worked as a school superintendent in Chicago’s southern suburbs. His mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, worked as a librarian and held a master’s degree in education.
Two of Leo’s sisters became nuns. His background in both the United States and Peru has shaped his work and helped connect him with Catholic communities in North and South America.
A Papacy Following Pope Francis
Leo followed Pope Francis, who died at age 88 after suffering a stroke. Francis had also spent a long period in the hospital after dealing with several health problems.
Leo’s upcoming surgery is expected to keep him away from some public duties for a short time. He has placed his trust in his doctors and asked the public to keep him in their prayers as he faces the procedure.