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Pope Leo to Undergo Surgery for Lung Nodule

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Pope Leo announced he will undergo surgery this week to remove a small, early-stage lung growth.

Pope Leo XIV revealed he will have an operation in the coming days to extract a localized nodule discovered on his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff shared the news with worshippers gathered in St. Peter Square during his traditional Sunday blessing. Medical professionals detected the growth early during routine health checks.

The patientPope Leo is 71 years old and this marks the first known health scare of his papacy.
The prognosisMedical checks caught the nodule early and describe the growth as well-contained.
The timelineThe pontiff stated the surgical procedure will take place during the first days of the week.

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By the numbers

71 yrspontiff age

Why it matters

Health announcements by the head of the Catholic Church draw immense global attention due to the demanding nature of the papacy and historical precedents regarding papal wellness. Routine checkups often serve as the primary window for discovering medical issues among aging world leaders.