Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove lung nodule

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 18:18 · Archive

Pope Leo XIV announced he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule found on his lung during medical checks.

Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule discovered on his lung during recent medical checks. The 71-year-old American pope said the nodule was found at an early stage and is well-localised. The Vatican said the surgery would take place in the first days of the week, with recovery expected to take about a week.

Leo has no previously known health problems and is considered physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo. During his Sunday noon blessing, the pope thanked those present for their support and asked for their prayers. He said he was following his doctors' advice in deciding to undergo the procedure.

The pope has a major trip planned from 6 to 17 November to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It remains unclear whether the planned surgery and recovery would affect this itinerary, though Leo said during his remarks on Sunday that he intended to proceed with the journey.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo XIV says he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule on his lungPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 11 Oct, 15:57
• Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lungVATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks.TribLIVE · 11 Oct, 13:01

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Vatican · Uruguay · Argentina · Peru · Castel Gandolfo

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