VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV announced that doctors recently found “a small, localized nodule” in his lung and that he will have it treated surgically sometime this week.
He made the announcement in Italian after praying the Sunday Angelus with visitors and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 11:
“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized. The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers. Thank you, and happy Sunday!”
Matteo Bruni, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that the procedure will take place in the coming days at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, and it is expected to require approximately one week of recovery.
A lung nodule is a small mass of dense tissue on the lung, according to the American Lung Association. Lung nodule surgery can be part of diagnosing and treating atypical lung growth.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, invited the faithful to pray for the pope’s good health:
“The bishops of the United States join with the faithful and all people of good will in praying for his good health. May the hand of Pope Leo’s surgeons be guided by the divine physician Jesus Christ. Please find a moment today, as I will, to offer a prayer for Pope Leo and his care team.”
Pope Leo was scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17, with stops in: Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida; Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján; Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
There were no announcements Oct. 11 as to any changes to his trans-Atlantic travel plans, and in his remarks to pilgrims in the crowd for the Angelus, he thanked members of the Hermandad del Señor de los Milagros in Rome and others “for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru.”
