Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery for Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small, localized nodule discovered in his lung during recent medical checks. The 71-year-old American pontiff stated the lesion was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed.

The Government of the Holy See confirmed the procedure will take place in the first days of the week, with an expected recovery period of one week. This marks the first medical issue requiring hospitalization for Leo since he began his papacy in May 2025.

Despite the upcoming procedure, the Pope intends to proceed with a pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru scheduled for November 6-17. The Italian government has expressed its support for the pontiff following the announcement.