Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule, he said on Sunday, announcing the news himself at the end of the Angelus to worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace on October 11, the 71-year-old pope said his doctors had recommended removing the growth. He had accepted their advice, and the operation was already scheduled.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” he said, according to Vatican News.

The procedure will take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, said it was planned for early in the coming week, with about a week of postoperative hospitalization expected.

Leo is known for an active lifestyle, including tennis, and had not previously been known to have serious health problems. Sunday’s disclosure was the first significant health concern made public during his pontificate.

How the lung nodule was discovered

Doctors found the nodule during recent medical examinations, Leo said. He did not identify the test that revealed it or say whether symptoms had prompted the checks. His announcement gave no measurements or details of the surgical procedure.

The Vatican had not announced whether the nodule was benign or malignant. The pope’s description of an early, localized finding does not by itself establish a diagnosis.

A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue. Most are noncancerous, according to the Mayo Clinic, and many consist of scarring left by previous infections. They often cause no symptoms and may be found on imaging performed for another reason.

Doctors assess nodules by looking at factors such as their size and whether they grow. Some can be monitored; others require further investigation.

A November journey still on the calendar

The surgery comes less than a month before a scheduled visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, from November 6 to 17. Earlier in Sunday’s address, before disclosing his health problem, Leo had thanked Catholics for their prayers for the journey, Reuters reported.

The visit to Peru would take the Chicago-born pope back to a country where he spent years as a missionary and bishop and became a citizen. He was elected pope on May 8, 2025, becoming the first pontiff from the United States.

At his inauguration in May 2025, Antigua and Barbuda’s delegationincluded Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and Sandra, Lady Williams. They met the new pope and presented a gift on behalf of the country. Sir David Shoul, our nonresident ambassador to the Holy See, also attended.

Leo ended his announcement on Sunday by asking for the support of the faithful. “I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.

My warmest wishes, and those of the entire staff of Antigua.news, go to Pope Leo XIV for a speedy recovery.