# Pope Leo XIV to Have Lung Nodule Surgery

> Pope Leo XIV, 71, undergoes lung nodule surgery after doctors recommend intervention.
- Title: Pope Leo XIV to Have Lung Nodule Surgery · Woman's World
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV, 71, undergoes lung nodule surgery after doctors recommend intervention. Pope Leo XIV, 71, will have lung nodule surgery following doctors'…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, lung nodule, surgery, vatican, health, pope, lung cancer, nodule removal, medical procedure, vatican press office, pope leo, Leo
- Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/wellness/pope-leo-xiv-to-have-lung-nodule-surgery-know-the-symptoms
- Author: Chad Birt, Miranda Siwak
- Published: 2026-10-12T15:16:51+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, lung nodule, surgery, vatican, health, pope, 71, lung cancer, nodule removal, medical procedure, vatican press office, pope leo
## Pope Leo XIV's Lung Nodule Surgery
Pope Leo XIV, 71, is scheduled for surgery to remove a lung nodule recently detected.

> It was detected at a very early stage and is well-defined
## Doctors Recommend Intervention
Pope Leo said the doctors deem it advisable to intervene, so he will undergo surgery to remove it.

> The doctors deem it advisable to intervene
## Surgery Timeline
Pope Leo will be admitted to the hospital late tomorrow morning, October 12, ahead of his surgery.
## Recovery Period
The Vatican press office announced Pope Leo’s surgery will require a weeklong hospital recovery.
## No Specific Issues
The Vatican noted there were no particular issues that prompted the tests that discovered Pope Leo’s lung nodule.
## Pope Leo's Background
Leo was named the new pontiff in May 2025 after Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at age 88.
## What is a Lung Nodule?
A lung nodule is a small, solid, rounded mass of tissue seen on a chest CT scan or X-ray as a white spot.
## Most Nodules Are Benign
About 95 percent of lung nodules are benign, or noncancerous, and do not require immediate action.
## When to Worry About Nodules
Lung nodules may cause symptoms if large and close to an airway, such as shortness of breath or cough.
## Risk Factors for Concern
Risk factors include age, smoking history, nodule size, density, borders, location, and changes over time.
## Healthcare Provider Guidance
Healthcare providers may order bloodwork or a lung biopsy if you have a history of lung disease.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV, 71, will have lung nodule surgery following doctors' recommendation for early intervention.