Pope Leo XIV Says He Will Undergo Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV says he will undergo surgery in the coming days after doctors discovered a small, localized nodule in one of his lungs during recent medical examinations.

The pontiff disclosed the planned procedure on Sunday while addressing people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer. He then shared the same announcement through his official social-media account, giving the public a direct account of the finding and his decision to follow his doctors’ recommendation.

What Pope Leo said about the procedure

In his statement, Leo said the nodule had been detected at a very early stage and was well localized. He said doctors advised removing it and that the operation had already been scheduled. He did not announce a hospital, an exact surgery date or an expected recovery timetable.

The limited details matter. A nodule can have different causes, and the pope did not offer a diagnosis beyond what doctors had found during the examinations. There was no statement about cancer, treatment beyond the planned operation or any change to his longer-term schedule. Until the Vatican or the pope provides additional medical information, those questions remain open.

A personal update delivered publicly

Leo closed his message by thanking people for their spiritual closeness and asking for prayers. His public note remained focused on the planned procedure rather than speculation about its cause. The announcement was notable for coming from the pontiff himself rather than through an anonymous briefing or secondhand report.

The Vatican has not yet outlined how the procedure may affect upcoming audiences or public appearances. For now, the confirmed development is narrow but significant: doctors found the nodule early, surgery is planned within days, and the pope has chosen to tell the public before the operation. Any medical update after the procedure will be important for establishing both the outcome and the length of his recovery.