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The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the medical findings himself while addressing pilgrims in St Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News and CNN. “Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” Pope Leo XIV stated. He concluded by asking for prayers ahead of his Latin America trip.
Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni clarified the timeline in comments to reporters, a Vatican News release showed. The surgery is set for early in the coming week at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Bruni indicated the postoperative hospital stay is anticipated to last approximately one week. CBS News reported that the facility includes a dedicated papal suite used by previous popes.
Britannica records place Pope Leo XIV’s election on May 8, 2025, making him the 267th pope and the first from the United States. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, he was ordained in 1982 and conducted missionary work in Peru before leading the Augustinian order globally between 2001 and 2013. A cardinal since 2023, he succeeded Pope Francis, who had undergone medical treatment at Gemelli Hospital before his death in 2025.
The pope remains physically active with weekly tennis and swimming, CNN reported, and holds no known prior serious health conditions. This background has contributed to an image of vitality unusual for recent popes at the time of their elections. His papacy has focused on issues ranging from global conflicts to artificial intelligence, according to Yahoo News coverage.
No indication has emerged on whether the procedure will shift the pontiff’s November 2026 visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, ABC News stated. The trip holds particular significance given the pope’s history in Peru, where he worked with marginalized groups. He specifically sought prayers for that segment of the itinerary during his public address.
American Cancer Society information shows that most lung nodules identified on CT scans result from old infections, scar tissue or other non-cancerous causes. The organization notes that follow-up imaging often determines whether growth occurs, potentially leading to biopsy or surgical removal if features raise concern. In this instance, Vatican statements emphasized the localized and early nature of the finding as the basis for prompt intervention.
