Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule detected at a very early stage, with the Vatican estimating that his recovery will take about a week.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square, explaining that his doctors had recommended surgery following recent medical examinations.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” Leo said.
He added that he had accepted his doctors’ recommendation to remove the nodule, with the operation already scheduled to take place in the coming days.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it,” the pope said.
Following the announcement, the Vatican press office said the pontiff was expected to require approximately one week to recover from the procedure.
No further details about the type of nodule or the specific surgical procedure were immediately provided.
The announcement marks a significant health development for the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, which has approximately 1.4 billion members worldwide.
Leo’s decision to undergo surgery follows medical checks that identified the lung abnormality at an early stage. His doctors advised that removing it would be the appropriate course of action.
The pope did not provide additional information about the condition during his address, focusing instead on the medical team’s recommendation and his decision to proceed with the operation.
The Vatican’s estimate of a week-long recovery provides an initial indication of the expected period of recuperation, although further information about his condition and return to normal activities was not immediately available.
First American Pope Elected in 2025
Born in Chicago, Leo XIV became the first American pope when he was elected head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
He succeeded Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 after a period of declining health.
Francis spent several weeks receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a medical facility traditionally associated with papal hospitalisations.
Before his election, Leo was known as Robert Francis Prevost. He gradually established his leadership style after becoming pope, taking on major international issues while shaping his approach to the responsibilities of the papacy.
Although generally considered less outgoing than his predecessor, Leo has increasingly made his voice heard on issues ranging from armed conflicts to the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Beyond his religious duties, Leo has attracted international attention for his interventions on global political and humanitarian issues.
Following the outbreak of war involving the United States, Israel and Iran in February, the pope became a prominent critic of the conflict.
He condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran, describing the warning as “truly unacceptable.”
Leo also urged Americans to press their elected representatives to pursue peaceful solutions, calling on US lawmakers to work towards ending the conflict.
Trump subsequently criticised the pontiff, describing him as “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.”
In response, Leo maintained that speaking out on matters of war and peace was part of his responsibility.
The pope’s comments have reinforced his growing public profile on international affairs, even as he continues to lead the Catholic Church.
As he prepares for the planned lung operation, attention will remain on updates from the Vatican regarding his health, recovery and schedule.
AFP
