By Andrew Nsoseka
Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule discovered in his lung, prompting prayers and messages of support from Catholics and religious leaders around the world.
The 71-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church announced the development on Sunday, October 11, during his weekly Angelus address to pilgrims gathered at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
The Pope said the nodule was discovered during recent medical examinations and was detected at a very early stage. He described it as localised, adding that his doctors had recommended surgery to remove it.
“Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it,” he told the faithful, thanking them for their spiritual support and entrusting himself to their prayers.
According to the Vatican, the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week, with post-operative recovery expected to take approximately one week. The procedure is expected to take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is cancerous, and its announcement offers no basis for concluding that the Pope has cancer.
News of the planned operation has triggered expressions of solidarity from Catholic communities and religious leaders, who have called for prayers for the Pope’s recovery and for the medical team attending to him.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said American bishops were joining Catholics and other well-wishers in praying for the Pope’s good health.
In Malta, Archbishop Charles Scicluna also assured the pontiff of the Church’s prayers, while Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo in Uruguay, called for prayers for a swift recovery ahead of the Pope’s planned visit to the country next month.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni equally expressed her support, saying the calm and composure with which the Pope announced his medical condition were reassuring.
The development comes as the pontiff prepares for a major pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. During Sunday’s address, he thanked Peruvian pilgrims for their prayers ahead of the planned trip, indicating his intention to proceed with the visit.
Whether the surgery and recovery period will affect his schedule has not been fully clarified.
What is a lung nodule?
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue in the lung that can be detected during medical imaging. Such growths may have several causes, including previous infections or inflammation, and are not necessarily cancerous.
Doctors may recommend further tests or removal depending on the characteristics of the nodule and the patient’s medical circumstances.
The Pope’s announcement that the growth was detected early and is well localised provides information about its discovery, but does not establish its nature or final diagnosis.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in the United States, was elected head of the Catholic Church in May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis, who died in April that year.
The planned operation is a significant health development for the pontiff, whose responsibilities include leading the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics.
