Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery this week to remove a small lung nodule discovered by doctors.
The 71-year-old American pontiff, now 17 months into his tenure, broke the news during his noon Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square. He did not state whether the growth was malignant, but expressed confidence about a quick return to his duties.
“Doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed,” he told the crowd in Italian.
“The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it,” Leo continued. “The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers.”
The Vatican did not specify an exact date for the procedure, though officials indicated the pope might skip Wednesday’s closing ceremony for a weeklong family ministry conference. Despite the health interruption, Leo maintained he still intends to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17.
Medical experts emphasized that lung nodules are common and frequently harmless. Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, noted that fewer than 5% of such nodules prove cancerous according to the American Thoracic Society.
“It often can be a blessing in disguise to remove that cancer before it has a chance to grow or to spread,” Liu said. “In these cases, surgery itself, while it may seem dramatic, is often very safe, very straightforward with a rapid recovery.”
Dr. Dionysis Papadatos-Pastos, an oncologist at The London Clinic, added that the pope’s description carried reassuring implications. “A well-circumscribed nodule does suggest that this is less likely to be cancer,” he said. “The worst thing you can do is ignore a lung nodule.”
The pope is expected to have the operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which maintains a special apartment specifically for pontiffs. Leo has no previously known health issues and maintains an active lifestyle that includes swimming and weekly tennis matches. He is not known to smoke.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni quickly offered public support following the announcement. “I would like to express to the Holy Father my personal support, and that of the Italian government, as he faces this challenge in the coming days,” she said in a statement.
The health scare marks a notable moment for Leo, who succeeded Pope Francis after the latter died April 21, from a stroke following prolonged hospitalization. Francis had suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed in his youth, complications that contributed to the respiratory crisis and double pneumonia that preceded his death.
Leo’s planned South American trip next month would take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru over an 11-day period.