Vatican spokesman says pope's lung surgery is planned for first days of next week, with one-week recovery expected Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery to remove a nodular lesion on his lung that was recently discovered during medical checks.
The pope said it was found in an early stage and was “circumscribed.” He said surgery was scheduled in the coming days.
The 71-year-old Leo made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessing. No further details were immediately released.
The American pope has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active, with weekly tennis games and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
Leo has a major trip planned Nov. 6-17 to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. It's unclear whether the planned surgery and recovery would affect the itinerary. (AP)
