Pope Leo XIV’s announcement: “I have a lump in my lung; I’ll need surgery.”
Pope Leo XIV, addressing the faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus from the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, made a statement regarding his health. “Recently, during some checkups, the doctors found a localized mass in my lung,” he said. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, and so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The surgery is already scheduled for the coming days.”
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, United States, was elected pope on May 8, 2025, becoming the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. In addition to being Bishop of Rome, he serves as head of the Vatican City State and Primate of Italy, along with the other duties traditionally assigned to the pope.
His election marked a historic moment for the Church: Leo XIV is, in fact, the first American pope and the first to belong to the Order of Saint Augustine. His religious and pastoral experience is also deeply rooted in Latin America, particularly in Peru, where he lived and carried out his mission for many years. This long-standing connection with the South American country also allowed him to obtain Peruvian citizenship.
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the city’s south side. His family history is characterized by a blend of different cultures and traditions, with French, Italian, Spanish, and Louisiana Creole roots.
His ancestors came to the United States from Europe, specifically from Italy and France. Among them was his paternal grandfather, Salvatore Giovanni Gaetano Riggitano, born in Milazzo, Sicily, in 1876. After moving to the United States, he adopted the name John Riggitano Prevost.
The future pope’s father, Louis Marius Prevost (1920–1997), was born in Chicago and spent his youth in the Hyde Park neighborhood. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, participating in major military operations. He commanded an amphibious landing craft used to transport infantry during the Normandy landings and also took part in Operation Dragoon, conducted in southern France.
After his military service, Louis Prevost devoted himself to education, embarking on a career that led him to become superintendent of Brookwood School District 167 in Glenwood, Illinois.
His mother, Mildred Agnes Martínez Prevost (1911–1990), was also originally from Chicago. She came from an Afro-Creole family in Louisiana, characterized by a diverse cultural and genealogical heritage. She worked in education as a teacher and librarian, serving at Mendel Catholic High School as well.
Robert thus grew up in a family environment where education, community service, and diverse cultural traditions played an important role. His family also included two older brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph.
One of the distinctive aspects of Leo XIV’s personal journey is his linguistic proficiency, which he developed in part through his experiences in various countries.
In addition to English, his native language, the Pope speaks Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese fluently. He also has a working knowledge of Latin and German.
These language skills, combined with his long pastoral experience in Latin America and his multicultural background, enable him to communicate directly with the faithful and communities of different nationalities.
