Pope Leo to have surgery after lump found on lung

Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgical treatment in Rome after physicians discovered an early-stage nodule on his lung during a routine health evaluation.

The 71-year-old pontiff shared the news directly with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during his regular Sunday Angelus prayer, explaining that medical specialists identified an isolated, well-contained mass. He told the assembly that his doctors advised an intervention and that he had consented to undergo the procedure, expressing gratitude to well-wishers for their spiritual support and prayers.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that the operation has been arranged for early next week. Medical staff expect the Pope's recuperation period to last roughly seven days. According to Vatican News, the surgery will be performed at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, which has maintained a dedicated papal apartment since the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II.

Despite the forthcoming procedure, the Holy Father indicated that his international travel schedule remains unchanged. He reiterated that his planned November tour of South America, which includes stops in Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay, is scheduled to proceed as intended.

Public figures quickly offered their support following the announcement, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharing a message of solidarity on social media wishing him strength ahead of the operation.

Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Provost, became the head of the Catholic Church in 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. As the 267th pontiff, he holds the distinction of being the first American elected to the papacy. Prior to his election, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1982 and spent significant time as a missionary working alongside underprivileged communities in Peru.

Lung nodules are relatively common abnormal growths of tissue within the chest, often identified incidentally on radiographic scans, and typically do not present noticeable symptoms on their own.