Pope Leo to undergo lung surgery this week after doctors spot small growth

Pope Leo will undergo surgery this week to remove a small growth on his lung, marking the first health scare of his tenure. The 71-year-old pontiff announced the upcoming operation on Sunday to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his weekly prayer.

Medical Details

Doctors discovered a localized nodule in the pope's lung during recent medical examinations. Leo stated that the growth was detected at a very early stage and remains well-contained. Following medical advice, he decided to proceed with the scheduled surgery for the coming days.

Recovery and Schedule

The Vatican press office reports that the pope's recovery from the operation will take about a week. Prior to revealing the health issue, Leo spoke about his upcoming 11-day pastoral tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6 through 17.

Context

Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo is relatively young for a Church leader and is not known to have had prior health issues. Lung nodules are small lesions that are often benign, though the American Thoracic Society notes that risk factors can vary based on size and age.