Pope Leo Announces He Will Undergo Surgery To Remove Lung Nodule
Pope Leo Announces He Will Undergo Surgery To Remove Lung Nodule
According to UT MD Anderson, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, lung nodules or pulmonary nodules are small growths that can develop in the lungs.
Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a localised nodule discovered in his lung during recent medical examinations.
According to UT MD Anderson, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, lung nodules or pulmonary nodules are small growths that can develop in the lungs.
By definition, they are no larger than 3 cm, or about 1.25” across. According to the centre, anything bigger than that is considered a mass.
It noted that lung nodules are very common. But most lung nodules are not due to cancer.
The operation is scheduled to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, with doctors recommending the procedure after detecting the nodule at a very early stage.
The Pope disclosed this on Sunday while addressing the faithful during the Angelus, saying the nodule was localised and had been detected early.
“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” he said.
“The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days.”
According to Vatican News, the pontiff thanked those who had expressed concern and support, and asked for prayers ahead of the procedure.
“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.
Responding to journalists’ questions, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, said the operation was scheduled for the first days of the week.
Bruni added that the Pope’s estimated post-operative recovery period would be about one week.
The announcement comes after the discovery of the lung nodule during recent medical examinations. No further details about the nature of the nodule were provided in the statement.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to undergo the procedure at Gemelli Hospital, a major medical facility in Rome that has treated previous popes.
