Pope Leo to Undergo Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule

UPDATE - follow-up to Pope Leo to undergo surgery for growth on lung: Pope Leo announced that doctors discovered a small, well‑contained nodule in his lung and he will have it removed in the coming days. He told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square that the lesion was spotted early during routine checks and that medical experts advised prompt removal. The operation is scheduled for this week, and the Vatican press office said recovery should take roughly a week. A lung nodule is a tiny, localized spot that is often non‑cancerous; the American Thoracic Society notes that fewer than five percent of such nodules turn out to be malignant, though the risk grows with age and size. The 71‑year‑old pontiff, elected in May 2025, has no known previous health problems and enjoys activities like tennis. His predecessor, Pope Francis, died at 88 after a period of frailty. Despite the upcoming procedure, Leo’s calendar remains full. He is set to lead an 11‑day pastoral tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November, and he thanked pilgrims for praying for the journey before mentioning his health issue.

Context

Lung nodules are commonly found in health screenings and are usually benign, which is why early detection matters. Pope Leo’s health is closely watched because of his relatively young age for a pope and his active global agenda.