Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for a lung nodule next week

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have surgery next week to remove a lung nodule described as early-stage and localized.

A lung nodule is a small area that appears denser than surrounding tissue on lung scans.

Nodules can have different causes, including harmless scars from past infections and tumors, so finding one does not by itself mean someone has cancer.

Doctors assess its size, shape and other features, along with the patient’s health and risk factors, to decide what tests or treatment are needed.

Small nodules may be monitored with follow-up scans, while larger or irregular ones may lead to further tests and a biopsy.

Treatment depends on what the tests show; an early lung tumor may be treated with surgery, while other risks can call for drug treatment or radiotherapy.

The available medical details do not establish what caused the Pope’s nodule.