Pope to undergo surgery after discovery of lump in lung

Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that doctors have discovered a small tumor on his lung and he will undergo surgery this week to remove it.

This is the first time that the health of the 71-year-old pontiff could cause concern during his tenure, Reuters comments.

“Recently, during medical examinations, doctors discovered a localized nodule in my lung,” the pontiff said during weekly Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square. “It was detected at a very early stage and was well contained.”

A lung nodule is an abnormal growth that forms in the lung. According to doctors, less than 5% of lung nodules are malignant, and the risk increases with age and under the influence of other factors.

“The doctors consider it appropriate to carry out an intervention, so, following their advice, I decided to undergo an operation to remove it,” the pope said. “The operation is already planned for the coming days.”

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told the media that "the operation is planned for the first days of next week." Recovery is expected to take about a week, he said.

The news portal Vatican News clarified that the operation will take place at the Gemelli Clinic in Rome. This hospital was equipped with a special papal suite after the failed attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II in May 1981, which is still in use today.

Leo XIV is relatively young for the head of the Catholic Church. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and, as far as is known, has no previous health problems, notes Reuters.

His predecessor Francis died at the age of 88.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Provost, succeeded Pope Francis in 2025. He became the 267th successor of St. Peter and the first American pope. He was ordained in 1982 and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru.