Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery in Rome for lung nodule

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo surgery in Rome this week to remove a lung nodule detected at a very early stage during recent checkups, France 24, Euronews, Al Jazeera, Mercopress, and the BBC reported. The 71 year old pontiff made the announcement himself on Sunday during his weekly address in St Peter Square. Euronews and France 24 noted that this is an unusual personal medical announcement by a pontiff and marks the first medical event of his 17 month papacy. [1][2][3][4][5][6][8]

France 24 reported that the operation will take place at Rome Gemelli hospital, although the Vatican has not confirmed the exact date. According to Euronews and Al Jazeera, the procedure involves removing a small growth of dense tissue from inside the lung, which doctors determined was the best option. [1][3][6]

Despite the upcoming procedure, Pope Leo XIV has maintained a busy schedule and continued working, Al Jazeera reported. France 24, Euronews, and Al Jazeera noted that the Vatican press office expects the pope to recover in about a week following the procedure. [1][2][4][6]

Pope Leo XIV is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. An Augustinian friar who previously served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, he is the first United States born pope. [7][13][14]

The week long recovery is expected to allow Pope Leo XIV to proceed with an 11 day trip to South America, France 24, Euronews, and Mercopress reported. The tour to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru is scheduled from November 6 to 17, and Mercopress and The Rio Times confirmed the Vatican and the Peruvian government have announced no changes to the schedule. [1][2][5][7]