Pope to undergo surgery to remove nodule on lung

Pope Leo has announced he will undergo surgery this week to remove a small growth detected on his lung during a recent health examination. This marks the first health concern of his 71-year pontificate. Speaking to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his weekly Sunday prayer, the pope stated that the growth was well-contained and had been identified at an early stage.

"Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung," said the pontiff. "It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained. The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it." The operation is scheduled for the next few days.

Lung nodules are small, localized lesions that can be benign, with fewer than 5% of lung nodules overall proving to be cancerous, according to the American Thoracic Society. The 71-year-old pope, who was elected in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader and enjoys sports, including tennis, with no previous health issues reported.

Following surgery, the Vatican press office expects his recovery to take about a week. The pope is set to embark on an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6-17. Before discussing his health, the pope referenced his upcoming trip, thanking Catholics for their prayers.