Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery for Early-Stage Lung Nodule
Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery for Early-Stage Lung Nodule
Pope Leo XIV announced he will undergo surgery for an early-stage lung nodule found during a medical check-up, reassuring the public of its good prognosis. Prayers are requested for his speedy recovery.
Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old pontiff, has announced he will undergo surgery "in the coming days" to remove an early-stage nodule discovered on his lung.
The significant news was delivered by His Holiness himself during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter's Square in Rome. He informed the public that doctors identified the "well-localised nodule" at a very early stage and recommended intervention.
Reassuring the pilgrims, Pope Leo stated that the mass was "well-contained" and caught promptly, indicating a positive prognosis.
The Vatican press office has indicated that the Pope is expected to take about a week to recover from the procedure. The operation is scheduled to take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a facility known for its specialized Papal suite, established after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981.
This upcoming surgery comes nearly a year and a half after Pope Leo XIV succeeded the late Pope Francis, who also experienced lung-related health issues requiring hospital treatment. Pope Leo concluded his Angelus prayer by thanking everyone for their "spiritual closeness" and entrusting himself to their prayers.
International well-wishes have already poured in. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "personal solidarity" with the Pope, as did President Sergio Mattarella, who offered his "sincerest wishes for a peaceful recovery and a speedy and full return to health." Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, also conveyed wishes for a "full and speedy recovery."
Born Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV holds the distinction of being the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and the first US citizen to do so. Ordained in 1982, he dedicated years to missionary work in Peru, where he is remembered for his work with marginalized communities.
Despite the impending surgery, Pope Leo confirmed that his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November will still proceed. The Archbishop of Montevideo, Daniel Sturla, affirmed that preparations for the tour would continue with "greater enthusiasm" and called for prayers for the Pope's health. A lung nodule, as described by the NHS, is a small lump of tissue typically detected during chest scans, and most do not cause other symptoms.
