VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff delivered the news himself during his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, maintaining a tone of composure that drew widespread expressions of support from global leaders.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found,” the Pope told the gathered crowd. “It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised. The doctors believe it would be right to intervene, and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it.”
Following the announcement, the Vatican press office confirmed that the surgery is scheduled to take place at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, a facility with a long history of treating popes, dating back to the papacy of John Paul II. Officials estimate that the Pope will require approximately one week of recovery following the procedure.
As of Sunday evening, the Vatican had not clarified whether the surgery would force any changes to the Pope’s upcoming international agenda. Leo XIV is currently scheduled to undertake a high-profile tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17.
The news of the Pope’s health prompted immediate reactions from world leaders. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement shortly after the announcement, noting that the “calmness with which he spoke” provided significant reassurance. She extended her “personal closeness, and that of the Italian government, as he confronts this ordeal.”
Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, made history last year as the first American-born pope. Elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, the 71-year-old has established a distinct, more reserved leadership style. Despite his shorter tenure, he has already asserted himself as a formidable voice on the global stage, frequently navigating high-tension geopolitical crises.
His pontificate has been defined in recent months by his vocal opposition to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Pope has repeatedly condemned the violence, notably labeling threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable.” The tension between the Vatican and the White House reached a fever pitch earlier this year, with President Trump publicly attacking the Pope’s foreign policy stance. Leo XIV remained undeterred, insisting that he maintains a “moral duty to speak out” against aggression regardless of the political backlash.
For now, the focus shifts to the Gemelli hospital, where medical teams prepare for the procedure. While the Vatican remains optimistic about the early detection of the nodule, the health of the world’s most prominent religious leader remains a primary focus of international attention.
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