Pope Leo XIV has confirmed he will undergo surgery this week to remove a pulmonary nodule, marking the first time a pontiff has personally disclosed such a medical procedure. The 71-year-old, known for his athletic lifestyle, is otherwise in good health, according to the Vatican.
Timing and schedule
The operation is slated for "the coming days," with the Vatican press office indicating it would occur early in the week, though no exact date has been given. Italian media speculate Tuesday is the likely day, but the pope is still scheduled to preside over a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning with church leaders from around the world. No changes to his public calendar have been announced so far.
Doctors anticipate a recovery period of roughly one week, which would allow the pope to depart for his planned 11-day visit to Latin America on 6 November. The trip will take him to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru—a country close to his heart, where he worked as a missionary for two decades and holds citizenship.
Understanding pulmonary nodules
A pulmonary nodule is a small growth of tissue in the lung. Most are benign, but a small percentage can be an early sign of lung cancer. Small nodules often produce no symptoms and are discovered incidentally during scans for other conditions. Larger nodules may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, or a persistent cough, sometimes with blood.
The procedure is typically performed under general anaesthetic, with the patient breathing through a tube.
Gemelli: the pope's hospital
The operation is expected to take place at Rome's Agostino Gemelli hospital, the traditional medical facility for popes. Pope Leo's predecessor, Francis, spent weeks there before his death last year. Pope John Paul II was treated at Gemelli nine times between 1978 and 2005, totalling 153 days, and famously referred to it as "Vatican number three."
The Vatican has a dedicated top-floor apartment at the hospital, accessible via a long corridor guarded by Italian and Vatican police. The suite includes the pope's room, a meeting area for medical staff, a kitchen, bathroom, and rest spaces.
This announcement comes as the pope balances his health with a demanding schedule. The Latin America trip is a priority, and the Vatican's confidence in a swift recovery suggests the surgery is being approached with caution but not alarm.
For more on the pope's health and its implications, see our earlier report on the surgery for early-stage lung nodule. The Vatican's handling of this personal medical news marks a departure from past practice, where such details were often kept private.
As the pope prepares for the operation, Catholics worldwide will be watching closely. The success of the surgery and his recovery will determine whether he can fulfil his commitment to visit the continent he once called home.
