The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure to remove a lung nodule. The 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church will reportedly enter Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for the operation, which is anticipated to require approximately a week of inpatient recovery. Consequently, all upcoming papal audiences have been cancelled until further notice.

During his weekly blessing in St Peter’s Square, Leo purportedly informed pilgrims that a small nodule was discovered on his left lung during a routine checkup, claiming it was "well-contained" and detected early. While the pontiff stated that medical advisors believe swift action is necessary, Vatican spokespeople have notably avoided clarifying whether the nodule is malignant or benign, leaving room for ongoing speculation.

The sudden medical intervention arrives just ahead of an official Latin America tour scheduled for November, with stops purportedly planned across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Although the pontiff allegedly insists on maintaining the original itinerary, analysts remain skeptical about whether his post-operative recovery will permit such an extensive journey, drawing comparisons to the frequent health struggles of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

Source: www.aljazeera.com