Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small, well-localized nodule found on his lung during a recent medical check.
The big picture: The operation will be the first major health event of Leo's 17-month pontificate. The Vatican expects a one-week recovery, and officials said he may miss Wednesday's closing Mass for a family ministry conference.
- Leo, 71, announced the surgery himself during his Sunday noon blessing. He said doctors found the nodule at a very early stage and recommended removing it.
Zoom in: A lung nodule is an abnormal area smaller than 3 centimeters that can appear on a chest or abdominal CT scan. Georgetown lung cancer specialist Dr. Stephen Liu told AP that nodules are common and often benign, though imaging alone may leave the diagnosis uncertain.
- "Surgical removal can provide a definitive diagnosis," Liu said. He added that if the nodule is cancerous, finding and removing it early gives the pope an excellent prognosis and may make surgery the only treatment needed.
What's next: The Vatican said the surgery will happen early this week at Rome's Gemelli hospital. Leo said he still plans to make a Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, barring complications during recovery.
Why it matters: A pope's health can alter the Vatican's schedule and leadership at short notice. Leo's public disclosure also offers a practical reminder that a lung nodule is a finding to investigate promptly, rather than a diagnosis by itself.
