Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery after early nodule detected
Pope Leo XIV announced that recent medical tests found a localized nodule in his lung. He said the nodule was caught at an early stage and he will have surgery in the coming days. The Vatican expects about a week of recovery, and the Pope also appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine and safe grain shipments across the Black Sea.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, is the first American pontiff, appointed in 2025. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, he served for years in Peru and previously headed the Vatican office overseeing bishops. He has been known for good health and regular tennis.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the operation is set for the start of this week, with roughly seven days expected for recovery. A November journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains scheduled, though it is not yet clear whether the surgery will alter those plans. His predecessor, Pope Francis, died last April at 88 after a stroke following prolonged hospitalization.
The pope’s upcoming surgery may unsettle Catholics who look to him for stability, especially after his predecessor’s prolonged illness. A weeklong recovery could temporarily limit Vatican audiences and his planned South America trip, though officials have not said it will. His simultaneous appeal on Ukraine and Black Sea grain shipments may keep attention on how papal diplomacy continues during medical leave. The impact likely depends on whether complications arise.