Pope Leo XIV will have surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule on his lung
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery "in the coming days" to remove a nodule on his lung, in the first major hea
Pope Leo XIV, aged 71, announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule on his lung. The Vatican described the nodule as being in an early stage and well-localized, suggesting it was likely benign. The American pontiff made the health disclosure during his Sunday noon blessing, expressing gratitude for the crowd's support and entrusting his well-being to the faithful's prayers.
Leo's upcoming major event is the closing Mass on Wednesday during a weeklong conference on family ministry, though Vatican officials hinted he might miss it. A lung nodule is a small abnormal area that can sometimes appear on a CT scan, often being benign but potentially cancerous. If cancerous, early removal could significantly improve outcomes.
Leo, known for his active lifestyle with weekly tennis and swimming, has no prior health issues. The surgery is expected to be performed at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where previous popes have been treated. Despite the potential impact on his upcoming Latin America trip, Leo stated he still planned to travel.
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