Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery to remove a nodule found in his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff made the disclosure during his weekly Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square. He assured the faithful that the nodule was detected at an early stage and is very localised. The Pope's announcement came after recent medical tests revealed the lump.
According to Pope Leo XIV, doctors have advised that the nodule be removed, and he has accepted their recommendation. The operation is already planned for the coming days. The Vatican press office disclosed that the Pope is expected to need about one week to recover after the procedure. This development has sparked concern among the faithful and the global community.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. He became the first American pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Pope Francis had spent several weeks at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where pontiffs traditionally receive treatment.
Since taking office, Pope Leo XIV has gradually established his own style of papacy. Though more reserved than his predecessor, he has spoken out on major global issues, ranging from armed conflicts to artificial intelligence. His recent criticism of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February drew international attention.
The Pope described President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and called on Americans to press their lawmakers to pursue peace. Trump responded by calling the pontiff “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy.” Pope Leo XIV responded that he had a “moral duty to speak out” on the issue.
The Catholic Church, under Pope Leo XIV's leadership, has about 1.4 billion members worldwide. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has been actively engaging with global issues and has been vocal about his stance on various matters. His health and recovery are being closely monitored by the faithful and the global community.
The Pope's surgery and subsequent recovery are expected to be closely followed by the media and the public. As the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV's actions and decisions have significant implications for the Catholic Church and the global community. His health and well-being are of great interest to his followers and the world at large.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV, 71, to have surgery to remove lung nodule detected at early stage
- The operation is planned for the coming days, with a one-week recovery period expected
- Pope Leo XIV has been actively engaging with global issues and has been vocal about his stance on various matters
