Pope Leo to have surgery to remove an early-detected lung nodule

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  Pope Leo XIV said he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule found on his lung during a recent health check.

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  The 71-year-old pope said doctors found it at a very early stage and that it was well localised.

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  The Vatican said he is expected to need about a week to recover and did not say whether the nodule is believed to be malignant.

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  The operation is scheduled for the first days of the week, and Vatican News said it will take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

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  Leo has a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, but it is unclear whether surgery will affect the itinerary.

Who

Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

What

He will have surgery to remove a small lung nodule detected during a health check.

When

The operation is scheduled for the coming days, in the first days of the week. Recovery is expected to take about a week.

Where

Gemelli Hospital in Rome, according to Vatican News.

Why

Doctors advised taking action to remove the nodule.

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