Summary
Pope Leo XIV will have surgery soon to remove a small, early-stage nodule from his lung. The surgery is expected to happen within the next few days, with a recovery time of about one week.Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old and in generally good health.
- The lung nodule was found early and is well localized.
- Surgery is scheduled for the first days of this week, likely in Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
- The pope announced the surgery during his Sunday blessing and asked for prayers.
- He has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, but it's unclear if surgery will affect it.
- Lung nodules are small abnormal areas often found in scans done for other health reasons.
- Italy’s prime minister expressed support and praised the pope’s calm attitude.
- Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died in 2025 from lung-related health issues.
