Pope Leo has shared an update on his health, confirming that he will undergo surgery to have a lung nodule removed.
During his Sunday noon blessing in Vatican City, the Pope said: “Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors discovered a well-defined lung nodule, detected at a very early stage and clearly localized.
“The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene, and so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.
“The procedure has already been scheduled for the coming days. I thank you and entrust myself to your prayers.”
Pope Leo will undergo surgery
The Vatican confirmed that the surgery will take place, sharing a statement that read: “The surgery will be the first days of next week. The post operation recovery will be around one week.
Pope Leo wrapped up his Sunday address by saying he would “entrust myself to your prayers,” before wishing everybody a “happy Sunday.”
There have been no previously reported health concerns involving the Pope, who is understood to remain physically active in his role as leader of the Catholic Church.
Leo was scheduled to embark on a two-week trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month. However, it is not yet known whether his surgery and recovery will affect the planned visit.
Spoke out against the death penalty
The health update comes just after Leo recently spoke out against the death penalty. He shared a statement on X, writing: “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.
“The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment: effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption. #NoDeathPenalty”.