Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical examinations.

The Pope announced this on Sunday while addressing worshippers during the Angelus prayer, explaining that the growth was detected at an early stage and was well localised.

According to Vatican News, he said his doctors had recommended surgery and that he had agreed to follow their advice.

“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localised,” he said.

“The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days,” he added.

The Pope also expressed appreciation to the faithful for their support and prayers, asking them to continue praying for him.

“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.

The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, later confirmed that the operation would be performed at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

Bruni said the surgery was expected to take place in the first few days of the week, with the Pope’s post-operative recovery estimated to last about one week.