Pope Leo to undergo surgery after nodule discovered on his lung, he says
Also reported by Guardian World, Newsweek, BBC World, Axios, France24
Summary
Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, will have surgery soon after doctors found a small lump on his lung. The operation is planned for early this week in Rome, and the pope is expected to stay in the hospital for about one week.Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV announced he has a lung nodule found during recent medical checkups.
- The nodule is small, clearly defined, and detected at an early stage.
- Surgery is scheduled for early this week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
- The expected hospital stay after surgery is approximately one week.
- Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old and was elected pope in May 2025.
- He is the first American pope and was formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago.
- Despite his upcoming surgery, the pope still plans a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November 2026.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope as he prepares for surgery.
