Pope Leo XIV said doctors had detected a very early-stage nodule in his lung, and that he would undergo surgery in the coming days.
In a blessing at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, he said: ‘Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors discovered a well-defined lung nodule, detected at a very early stage and clearly localised.
‘The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene, and so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.
‘The procedure has already been scheduled for the coming days. I thank you and entrust myself to your prayers.’
The surgery marks the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff’s tenure.
The Vatican press office said the pope’s recovery from surgery was expected to take about a week.
Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that doctors had detected a very early-stage nodule in his lung, and that he would undergo surgery in the coming days. Here he is pictured on October 11 delivering the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican
Leo, 71, attends the holy mass for the inauguration of the academic year of the pontifical universities in the St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on October 8
This image shows how a lung nodule would appear on an X-ray (File image)
It did not immediately provide further details about the pope’s health.
Leo elected pope by the world’s cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader.
He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to previously have had health issues.
The late Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, died at age 88 and was increasingly frail in his later years.
He has a major trip in November when he is planned to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru over two weeks.
However it is not clear whether the surgery and subsequent recovery will affect the pope’s plans.
A pulmonary nodule is an area of abnormal growth on a lung. They usually do not cause symptoms but can be seen on X-rays and CT scans.
Nodules can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases or cancer – however they are usually not cancerous.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
