Pope Leão XIV to Undergo Surgery to Remove Small Lung Nodule

Overview

• The pope told worshippers on Sunday that doctors found a small, well‑localized pulmonary nodule during recent exams and advised surgical removal.
• The Holy See said the procedure is planned at Rome’s Hospital Gemelli in the first days of the coming week and that post‑operative recovery should take about one week.
• The Vatican has not released technical details about the nodule’s size or pathology, so whether it is benign or malignant will depend on the surgical findings and follow‑up tests.
• The announcement prompted public messages of support from church bodies and political leaders and requests for prayers from Catholics, including Brazil’s CNBB.
• The intervention raises uncertainty about the pope’s 11‑day Latin America trip scheduled for November, and the Vatican has not yet confirmed whether the itinerary will change.