Pope Leo to have lung surgery
The gist
Pope Leo XIV had surgery on Oct 13 to remove a small lung nodule.
The 71-year-old's first major health issue puts his November South America trip in question.
How it unfolded
- Apr 21, 2025Pope Francis, Leo's predecessor, died of a stroke after a long hospitalization brought on by a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia.
- May 2025Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope as Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the U.S.
- Oct 11, 2026During his weekly Sunday noon blessing in St. Peter's Square, Leo announced doctors had found a small, localized nodule in his lung at a very early stage and that he would have surgery in the coming days.