Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical examinations, with the procedure expected to keep him in hospital for about a week.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed this on Sunday while addressing worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer.
He said doctors had detected the nodule at an early stage and recommended surgery to remove it.
“It was detected at a very early stage and is well-defined. The doctors deem it advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” the pope said.
A lung nodule is a small mass of tissue in the lung. Although most lung nodules are non-cancerous, some may require further examination or treatment depending on their characteristics and the patient’s risk factors.
The Vatican said the operation was scheduled for early next week, adding that Leo would remain in hospital for approximately seven days to recover.
During his absence, the Vatican’s administrative activities are expected to continue as usual, although decisions requiring the pope’s signature will be suspended until his return, CNN reports.
