Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he will undergo surgery this week to remove a lump found on his lung. The discovery came during recent medical checks, where the nodule was identified at a very early and localized stage.
In his weekly address at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, the 71-year-old pontiff shared that following medical advice, he decided to proceed with the operation already planned for the coming days.
This marks the first major health concern for Pope Leo XIV since he assumed the papacy in 2025.
Details About the Lung Nodule
A lung nodule is a small lesion usually less than 3 centimeters, which can be benign. According to the American Thoracic Society, fewer than 5% of such nodules are cancerous. These nodules are sometimes discovered incidentally on CT scans performed for other reasons such as trauma or infections, not necessarily cancer screenings.
Pope Leo XIV’s Health and Background
Pope Leo XIV is younger than many of his recent predecessors, having become pope at 71. His predecessor, Francis, was five years older when he took office, and Benedict XVI was 78 at the start of his tenure. The current pope is not known to have had prior health issues and leads a fairly active lifestyle.
Medical Plan and Outlook
While further details about the surgery were not disclosed, the pope and his medical team appear optimistic given the early detection and localized nature of the nodule. The planned intervention indicates a proactive approach to addressing the condition to prevent further complications.
