VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion recently detected on his lung during routine medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff said doctors identified the lesion at an early stage and described it as “circumscribed,” meaning it is well localized. The Vatican later announced that the procedure was scheduled for the beginning of the week and that Leo was expected to need about a week to recover.
The American pope disclosed the diagnosis during his Sunday noon blessing. He thanked those gathered for their support and asked them to keep him in their prayers.
Leo has no known history of serious health problems and is regarded as physically active. His routine has included weekly tennis matches and swimming at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
The pope is scheduled to make a major trip from Nov. 6 to 17, visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It remains uncertain whether the lung surgery and recovery period will change those plans, although Leo said earlier Sunday that he still intended to travel.
Speaking in Italian, Leo said that doctors discovered “a small, localized nodule in my lung” during a recent medical examination. “It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed. The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it,” he said.
“The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers,” Leo said.
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Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died April 21, 2025, after suffering a stroke following a lengthy hospitalization triggered by a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. Francis had chronic lung disease and underwent surgery to remove part of one lung when he was young.
Leo is expected to receive treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where Francis and earlier popes were cared for. The hospital maintains a private apartment specifically for pontiffs.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, one of the few outsiders who visited Francis during his final hospitalization, offered Leo her support and that of the Italian government “as he faces this challenge in the coming days.” In a statement, she said the pope’s “serenity and calm” in discussing the surgery were reassuring.
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Barry reported from Milan.
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