Pope Leo to undergo surgery after lung nodule found

Summarised from 11 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 12:31 · Archive

Pope Leo XIV, 71, will undergo surgery in the coming days after doctors found an early-stage nodule on his lung.

Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule found on his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff made the announcement during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square, telling thousands of faithful gathered there that doctors had recently discovered the growth during routine medical examinations.

Leo said the nodule was identified at a very early stage and was well-localised. In remarks during his Sunday noon blessing, he stated: "Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors discovered a well-defined lung nodule, detected at a very early stage and clearly localised." He said his medical team believed surgical intervention was appropriate.

"The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene, and so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed," the Pope told the crowd. "The procedure has already been scheduled for the coming days."

The Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told media that the operation is scheduled for the first days of the following week and will take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Recovery is expected to take approximately one week.

Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, is the first American pope and succeeded Pope Francis in May 2025. He has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active, enjoying weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.

The pontiff has a major trip planned for November 6 to 17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. During his Sunday remarks, Leo indicated he planned to proceed with the journey, though it is unclear whether the planned surgery and recovery will affect the itinerary.

A pulmonary nodule is an area of abnormal growth on a lung. Nodules usually do not cause symptoms but can be seen on X-rays and CT scans. They can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases or cancer, though they are usually not cancerous.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo to have surgery to remove nodule on his lungPontiff says it was detected at an early stage and procedure will take place in the first days of this week Pope Leo XIV has said he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks. The 71-year-old said the nodule was found at an early stage and was “circumscribed” or well localised. The Vatican later said Leo would undergo surgery in the first days of this week, with an expected recovery time of a week. Continue reading...Guardian World · 11 Oct, 12:55
• Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lump on lungThe pontiff said he would be operated on "in the coming days" to remove a lung nodule, which he said was found at "a very early stage."DW News · 11 Oct, 12:49
• Pope Leo to undergo surgery after nodular lesion found in lung, Vatican saysThe American pope has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically activeCBS News · 11 Oct, 12:29
• Pope Leo to have surgery after lump found on lungThe 71-year-old pontiff said the nodule was identified "at a very early stage".BBC News · 11 Oct, 12:06
• Pope Leo announces tumor on lung, surgery planned in 'next few days'Pope Leo XIV announced doctors found a lung nodule at a "very early stage," with surgery scheduled in coming days.Fox News · 11 Oct, 12:04
• Pope Leo, 71, to undergo emergency surgery in days after 'early-stage diagnosis'Pope Leo XIV has announced he is set to undergo surgery in the coming days after receiving an 'early-stage diagnosis'. The 71-year-old pontiff told Catholics in his Angelus that his doctors had discovered “a localised nodule” in his lung. Speaking from the Apostolic Palace window during the service, Leo told the thousands of faithful gathered below that the growth had been caught at a very early stage. He said his medical team had recommended surgical intervention and that he had opted to follow their guidance, with a date for the procedure already set. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say…GB News · 11 Oct, 11:53
• Pope Leo to undergo surgery after early-stage nodule detected in his lungPope Leo XIV said doctors had detected a very early-stage nodule in his lung, and that he would undergo surgery in the coming days.Daily Mail · 11 Oct, 11:49
• Pope Leo to undergo surgery within days as tests reveal lesion on lungPope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung - this is a breaking storyThe Mirror · 11 Oct, 11:39
• Pope Leo to undergo surgery to remove nodule on lungThe 71-year-old Leo made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessingIndependent World · 11 Oct, 11:37
• 🔴Pope Leo says will undergo surgery for early-stage lung noduleFrance 24 · 11 Oct, 11:35
• Pope Leo to undergo surgery in coming days after nodule discovered on his lungPope Leo has announced he is to undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lung.Sky News · 11 Oct, 11:25

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Vatican · St Peter's Square · Rome · Gemelli Hospital · Pope Francis · Peru

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem