Pope Leo to undergo 'localised' operation on his lung

Source: Vatican Media, CBCEW

Pope Leo XIV told pilgrims gathered for the Angelus today that his doctors have found a "localised nodule" in his lung and he will be operated on in a few days. The operation will take place at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

He added that the nodule was "detected at a very early stage and is well localized."

The Pope said his doctors recommend surgery and he will follow their advice, with the surgery scheduled for the coming days.

Pope Leo thanked everyone for their spiritual closeness and entrusted himself to our prayers.

"Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localised. 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!"

Responding to journalists' questions, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said: "the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week and the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week."

Following Pope Leo XIV's announcement Catholics around the world have been sending their prayers and best wishes for his quick recovery.

Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said in a statement this afternoon: "Following Pope Leo's announcement during his Angelus Message today, Sunday 11 October, let us keep him very specially in our prayers as he prepares to undergo surgery during the coming days. We pray that following the procedure and a period of recovery, he will soon be restored to health.

"I have sent a message on behalf of all in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, assuring him of our prayers."

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square at today's Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops' solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers.

Bishop Keenan said: "We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father's health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world.

"At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem.

"On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support.

"We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery.

"May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead."

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops posted this statement on X from Archbishop Paul Coakley, President of the US Bishops' Conference:

"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."

Bishop Michael Olson, Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, invited the faithful to pray for the Holy Father and his medical team as they worship God at Mass on Sunday.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, shared the Church in Malta's solidarity.

"The Church in Malta is united in prayer for the Holy Father, wishing him well for the surgery he will be undergoing," he wrote on X.

In Uruguay, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, called for prayers for the Pope's quick recovery ahead of his scheduled Apostolic Journey to the country in November.

"Let us pray for his swift recovery and continue preparing for his visit to our country with renewed enthusiasm," he said.

In Italy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference, assured the Pope of the country's prayers.

"We thank Pope Leo for the simplicity and trust with which he has allowed us to share in this trial," said the Cardinal. "We are one family: Holy Father, you are not alone!"

Italian President Sergio Mottler sent a message to the Pope conveying his "affectionate expression of concern."

"In addition to the prayers of the Catholic faithful," said the Italian President, "he will be able to count on the heartfelt thoughts of countless people, in Italy and throughout the world, whether believers or non-believers."

A nodule on the lung is a small abnormal area that sometimes appears on a CT scan of the chest or abdomen, according to the American Cancer Society.

Pope Leo has no previously reported health problems. He is known to be physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.