Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that he will undergo surgery this week to remove a lump on his lung.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” the 71-year-old said during his weekly address in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it. The operation is already planned in the coming days,” he added.
What do we know about the pope’s condition?
This is his first major health scare since the 71-year-old American became pope in 2025.
A lung nodule is a small, contained lesion that is smaller than 3 centimeters (1 inch) and can be benign.
According to the American Thoracic Society, fewer than 5% of lung nodules turn out to be cancerous.
The American Cancer Society says the nodules sometimes appear on CT scans of the chest or abdomen during searches for trauma or lung infections that are unrelated to cancer screenings.
Leo is younger than most popes. His predecessor, Francis, was five years older when he assumed the role, while Francis’ predecessor, Benedict XVI, was 78 at the start of his tenure.
Leo is not known to have had any previous health issues, and leads a relatively active lifestyle.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
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Source: www.dw.com
