Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery ahead of major South America trip in November

Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule from his lung, which doctors discovered during a recent medical examination. The Vatican said on Sunday that the procedure was scheduled for the first few days of the week, with the 71-year-old pontiff expected to take about a week to recover.

Addressing the public during his traditional Sunday noon blessing, Leo thanked those who had expressed concern and asked them to keep him in their prayers. The pope said the abnormality had been detected at an early stage and was localised, adding that he had decided to proceed with surgery on medical advice.

In remarks delivered in Italian, Leo said, “doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed. The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I’ve decided to have surgery to remove it."

“The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days. Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.

The pontiff is expected to undergo the procedure at Rome's Gemelli hospital, a facility that has treated several popes, including his predecessor, Pope Francis. The hospital has a dedicated apartment for pontiffs. Leo has no previously known health problems and is regarded as physically active. His routine has included weekly tennis sessions and swimming at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

The planned surgery comes ahead of a major overseas trip scheduled for November 6 to 17, during which Leo is expected to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It remains unclear whether the procedure and recovery period will affect his travel plans. However, he indicated during his Sunday remarks that he intended to proceed with the trip.

Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21, 2025, following a stroke after a prolonged hospital stay that began with a respiratory crisis and developed into double pneumonia. Francis had suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed when he was a young man.