Pope Leo XIV To Undergo Lung Surgery In Coming Days

Pope Leo XIV is expected to spend about a week recovering from surgery to remove a lung nodule detected during a medical examination, according to the Vatican.

The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the finding during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, Rome, explaining that doctors had identified an early-stage growth in his lung and recommended an operation.

“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told the congregation, adding that he had accepted their advice to proceed with treatment.

Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the procedure was scheduled for the beginning of the following week. Vatican News reported that the operation would take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, which has a dedicated papal suite that remains available for pontiffs requiring hospital care.

Pope Leo thanked those who had offered him support and prayers, assuring worshippers that the condition had been detected early.

Born Robert Francis Prevost, Leo became the first American pope when he succeeded Pope Francis in 2025. He is the 267th pontiff and was ordained a priest in 1982.

Before his election, he spent years serving as a missionary in Peru, where he became known for working with marginalised communities and fostering connections across different groups.

The Vatican’s announcement comes as the pontiff prepares for treatment, with his medical team expecting his recovery to take approximately one week.