Pope Leo XIV announced plans for surgery to remove a lung nodule
13 october 2026 в 08:13
Pope Leo XIV announced plans to undergo surgery to remove a recently discovered lung nodule. «It was detected at a very early stage and is well-defined», - said Pope Leo, 71, on Sunday, October 11, according to CNN. «The doctors consider intervention advisable, so following their advice, I have decided to proceed with the surgery».
Lung nodules are areas of abnormal growth in the lungs that are usually not malignant, according to information from the Cleveland Clinic. Nodules rarely cause symptoms, except in some cases associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, fatigue, or recurrent respiratory infections.
No additional information about Leo’s condition was released at the time of publication. According to CNN, the surgery is scheduled for early next week, and the Vatican will operate as usual during his recovery.
Pope Leo was elected as the new pontiff in May 2025 after a conclave of international cardinals chose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away a month earlier at the age of 88. Leo (born Robert Francis Prevost) became the first pope born in the United States in the history of the church.
Lung nodules are areas of abnormal growth in the lungs that are usually not malignant, according to information from the Cleveland Clinic. Nodules rarely cause symptoms, except in some cases associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, chronic cough, fatigue, or recurrent respiratory infections.
No additional information about Leo’s condition was released at the time of publication. According to CNN, the surgery is scheduled for early next week, and the Vatican will operate as usual during his recovery.
Pope Leo was elected as the new pontiff in May 2025 after a conclave of international cardinals chose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away a month earlier at the age of 88. Leo (born Robert Francis Prevost) became the first pope born in the United States in the history of the church.
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