Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Lung Nodule Surgery at Gemelli Hospital: Vatican Health Update

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday during his Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small, localized lung nodule.

Addressing thousands of gathered faithful, the 71-year-old pontiff assured the public that the nodule was detected at a very early stage during routine examinations and is well circumscribed.

"Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung," Pope Leo told the crowd in St. Peter's Square. "It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained. The doctors believe it's best to take action, so, following their advice, I've decided to have surgery to remove it."

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Key Takeaways: What We Know About Pope Leo’s Health

• Location & Hospitalization: According to the Holy See Press Office, the surgery is scheduled for the coming days at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital, where previous popes have historically received medical treatment.
• Expected Recovery Timeline: Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed that the pontiff is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately seven days to recover and undergo routine monitoring.
• Medical Context: Medical experts note that localized lung nodules caught during early-stage screenings carry a high recovery success rate, with the vast majority of small circumscribed lesions being non-life-threatening when managed promptly.
• Impact on Travel Schedule: The Vatican is currently evaluating his post-op recovery timeline before making final announcements regarding his scheduled international papal trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru set for November 6–17.

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First Major Health Event Since 2025 Election

Known for maintaining an active daily lifestyle—including playing tennis and swimming—this procedure marks the first significant medical concern for Pope Leo XIV since assuming the papacy in May 2025.

The Holy See Press Office stated that regular updates regarding the exact schedule of the surgery and post-operative recovery progress will be issued in the coming days.