Pope Leo XIV to Have Surgery to Remove an Early-Stage Lung Nodule
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Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he will have surgery this week to remove a nodule found in his lung. The Vatican said recovery is expected to take about one week, and the pope indicated he still plans a November trip to South America, according to NBC News, CBS News and ABC News.
The 71-year-old pontiff, the first American pope, made the announcement from a window of the Apostolic Palace during his noon prayer in St. Peter's Square. NBC News reported that the news drew applause from the thousands of people gathered below.
What the pope said about the diagnosis
Leo said doctors found the nodule during recent medical tests. He described it as caught at a very early stage and well localized. ABC News translated his word for it as "circumscribed," while NBC News used "localized" and CBS News used "nodular lesion" in its own wording. All three outlets describe the same finding.
According to the pope, his doctors believe it is best to intervene, and he decided to follow their advice. NBC News reported that he said the surgery was already scheduled for the coming days. He thanked the crowd for its spiritual support and said, "I entrust myself to your prayers."
What the Vatican has confirmed
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the operation is set for the first days of the week. CBS News reported that the statement did not say exactly when the pope would be hospitalized. CBS News and ABC News said he is expected to be treated at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, which CBS News said has a special apartment for the pope.
Reports differ slightly on how the recovery period was described. NBC News and CBS News said recovery is expected to take about one week. ABC News quoted the Vatican press office as saying the expected postoperative hospital stay is about one week. The Vatican has not disclosed the type of procedure.
Why it matters: the November trip and the pope's health
Leo is officially scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17, according to CBS News and ABC News. NBC News and CBS News both said it is unclear whether the surgery and recovery will affect the itinerary. Still, CBS News reported that Leo said earlier in his remarks Sunday that he planned to go. ABC News noted that he thanked a Peruvian Catholic group for its prayers for his visit to Peru, a remark that appeared to show he still intends to travel.
The news also bears on how the public understands the health of a leader of the Catholic Church. NBC News and CBS News said Leo has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active. NBC News said he plays tennis weekly, and CBS News added that he swims at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
Context: Leo's background and his predecessor
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo was elected the church's 267th pontiff in May 2025, according to ABC News. His predecessor, Pope Francis, died April 21, 2025, at 88. CBS News said Francis died of a stroke after a long hospitalization that began with a respiratory crisis and developed into double pneumonia. CBS News also noted that Francis had chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man. Gemelli Hospital was also where Francis was treated, ABC News reported.
Reaction in Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement that she and her government stand in solidarity with the pope as he faces the coming days, according to ABC News. She said the calm with which he spoke during the Angelus prayer was a comfort, and she expressed confidence that the Italian people would offer their support and affection.
What happens next
The surgery is planned for the first days of this week at Gemelli Hospital, followed by about a week of recovery, according to the Vatican. Whether the schedule for the Nov. 6-17 trip changes has not been announced.
