Brief
Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung nodule surgery, doctors say precautionary
The Vatican says the pontiff will have a minimally invasive procedure in the coming days.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV, 71, will undergo a biopsy or keyhole surgery to remove an early‑stage lung nodule within the next few days, according to Daily Mail.
The nodule was discovered during routine medical examinations, and the Pope described it as "very early stage" and "well‑contained". Doctors plan to take a tissue sample using a thin, flexible tube inserted via the airways; if the nodule cannot be accessed this way, a minimally invasive keyhole operation under general anaesthetic will be performed.
Medical experts note that lung nodules appear in roughly one‑third of chest CT scans, most are benign, and the Pope’s healthy lifestyle – including regular tennis – reduces typical risk factors such as smoking.
Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV will have a biopsy or keyhole surgery to remove a lung nodule (dailymail.co.uk)
- The nodule was described by the Pope as very early stage and well‑contained (dailymail.co.uk)
- Lung nodules are found in about one in three chest CT scans, most are benign (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “DR MARTIN SCURR: How high-risk is the Pope's operation?”
