Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule on his lung that doctors found during recent medical checks. The 71-year-old pontiff, the first American pope, told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square after the weekly Angelus prayer that the growth was caught early, NBC News reported. The Vatican said recovery is expected to take about a week, and the operation is expected to take place in Rome in the first days of this week, ahead of a major trip to Latin America planned for November.
What the Pope Said
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Leo said doctors had discovered a “localized nodule” in his lung that “was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” according to NBC News. He said doctors believe it is best to intervene and that, following their advice, he decided to have it removed. The operation, he said, was already scheduled for the coming days.
He thanked those present for their spiritual closeness and said, “I entrust myself to your prayers,” Axios reported, citing the Vatican’s translation of his remarks. Leo also asked for prayers for his upcoming trip, and for Peru in particular, the Associated Press reported.
What the Vatican Has Confirmed
In a statement, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni said “the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week and the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week,” according to People. The statement did not say when the pope would be hospitalized, the AP reported.
Leo is expected to be treated at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, which has a special apartment reserved for the pope, according to the AP. The hospital is where popes traditionally go for medical care. His predecessor, Pope Francis, spent weeks there, TheJournal.ie noted.
The pope disclosed the surgery himself, in public remarks, and the press office followed with details afterward, TheJournal.ie reported. The Vatican’s written statement was published by Vatican News, the Independent reported. A Vatican spokesman clarified that the procedure is scheduled for early this week and that the pope will need about a week to recover, CNN reported.
A Healthy Pontiff Until Now
The announcement is unexpected. Leo has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, the AP reported. CNN described him as relatively young for a pope and generally seen as being in good health. Axios noted that he is less than 18 months into his papacy. He was elected in May 2025 and became the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
The Vatican has described the growth only as a localized, early-stage nodule and has given no further detail about the diagnosis.
November Trip Still Planned
Leo has a major trip planned for November 6 to 17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, CBS News reported. It remains unclear whether the surgery and a week of recovery will affect the itinerary. CBS said Leo told the crowd earlier in his remarks that he planned to make the journey. The surgery would take place less than four weeks before the trip begins.
The pope’s most recent long journey was a seven-day visit to Spain in June, and he later traveled to Lampedusa to pray for drowned migrants. More coverage of his papacy is in our Religion section.
What Is Known and Not Yet Known
The confirmed facts are limited. The pope announced the operation at the Sunday Angelus. He described a localized, early-stage nodule. The Vatican said surgery is set for the first days of this week, probably at Gemelli, with about a week of recovery to follow. The press office has not said exactly when he will enter the hospital, what the nodule is beyond that description, or how the recovery will affect his schedule and his November travel.
The Vatican is expected to update the public after the operation. This article will be updated as the Holy See Press Office releases more information.
