Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Surgery as Doctors Detect Nodule
Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical examinations, following medical advice that the procedure is appropriate.
The Pope announced the development on Sunday during his Angelus address, reassuring the faithful that the nodule had been detected at a very early stage.
According to the pontiff, doctors recommended surgery to remove the growth, and the operation has already been scheduled for the coming days.
“During some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” Pope Leo XIV said.
He added that he had accepted the doctors’ recommendation to undergo surgery and thanked those who had expressed concern about his health.
“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, later told journalists that the procedure was scheduled for the first days of the week.
Bruni further stated that the Pope’s recovery after surgery was expected to take about seven days.
The announcement has drawn attention to lung nodules, which medical experts describe as small growths that develop in the lungs. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre explains that pulmonary nodules are typically three centimetres or smaller in diameter, while larger growths are classified as masses.
Despite the concern that such findings may generate, most lung nodules are not cancerous. Their significance depends on individual medical factors and further clinical assessment.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to receive treatment at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, which has a history of providing medical care to previous pontiffs.
The Vatican has not disclosed additional information about the nature of the Pope’s lung nodule.
