VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, announced Sunday that he is set to undergo surgery this week to remove a localized nodule on his lung. The 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church delivered the news personally to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, maintaining a calm demeanor that drew supportive applause from the crowd.
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, Leo explained that the medical discovery was made during routine testing. “Recently, during some medical tests, doctors discovered a localized nodule in my lung,” the pontiff said. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.”
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the procedure is scheduled for the coming days. According to the Holy See, the surgery is expected to require a post-operative recovery period of approximately one week.
Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost, ascended to the papacy in 2025. A native of Chicago’s South Side, he was widely known for his physical vigor and active lifestyle—which includes a penchant for weekly tennis matches—prior to this unexpected health development. Having spent a significant portion of his ecclesiastical career ministering in Peru before leading the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, Leo maintains a deep connection to South America.
The announcement came at the conclusion of his traditional Sunday address, during which he maintained his focus on global affairs, calling for an urgent end to the war in Ukraine and emphasizing the necessity of securing grain transport routes across the Black Sea. “The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war,” he urged.
As news of the surgery spread, questions have naturally surfaced regarding the pontiff’s future schedule. Leo has a major diplomatic tour planned for November, with visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. While the Vatican has not yet indicated whether the surgery will necessitate a change to these plans, the short recovery time projected by doctors suggests the administration remains optimistic about his swift return to duties.
The health of the papacy has been a point of global attention following the death of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away last April at the age of 88 following a prolonged battle with health complications and a final stroke.
As the Vatican prepares for the upcoming procedure, the mood in St. Peter’s Square remained one of solidarity. Closing his address, the Pope thanked the public for their support and requested their prayers. “I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said, before offering a final blessing and wishing the assembled crowd a “happy Sunday.”
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