Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery to remove a small, localised nodule in his lung after doctors discovered the growth, raising the first major public health concerns about the 71-year-old pontiff since he assumed leadership of the Catholic Church.
The Pope disclosed the development to pilgrims gathered at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican after his customary Sunday prayer on October 11.
He said medical examinations revealed that the nodule was detected at a very early stage and was well-localised.
The operation is scheduled to take place early this week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a major medical facility where popes traditionally receive treatment. The Vatican subsequently informed reporters that the pontiff is expected to spend about a week recovering.
A lung nodule is a small abnormal area of tissue that can be detected during imaging examinations, including CT scans. According to the American Cancer Society, most lung nodules are non-cancerous and may result from previous infections, scar tissue or other conditions.
Although the discovery has drawn attention to the Pope’s health, the Vatican’s statement that the growth was detected early and is well-localised does not, on its own, establish whether it is cancerous.
Further details about the procedure and the pontiff’s recovery are expected as he undergoes treatment.
