Pope Leo to be operated on for lump on lung, one month before visit

Pope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery in the coming days for a lump on his lung, a discovery made during recent medical checks at the very early stage. The 71-year-old pontiff, who recently assumed the leadership of the Catholic Church as the first US Pope, said during his weekly Angelus prayers that the nodule on his lung was detected at an early stage and is very localized.

Doctors recommended the operation, and the pontiff has decided to proceed with the surgery to remove the lump. The procedure is scheduled to take place in Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, a facility with a history of treating popes. Following the announcement, the Vatican press office confirmed that the surgery is expected to occur within the next few days, with a recovery period of around one week.

The Pope is currently scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17, and there is no indication that the surgery and recovery will impact his international agenda. Pope Leo XIV, who became the first US Pope following the death of his Argentine predecessor Francis on April 21, 2025, has been actively addressing global issues, including conflicts and artificial intelligence.

In the wake of the US and Israel's war against Iran, the Pope has been a vocal critic, condemning the US President's threats and urging Americans to demand a peaceful solution.