Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery following nodule discovery
Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery early next week to remove a small mass from his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff announced the upcoming procedure during his customary Sunday Angelus address in St Peter’s Square, reassuring the public that doctors had discovered the growth at a highly manageable phase.
«The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,» the Pope told the gathered pilgrims. He explained that his medical team believed it was right to intervene and he had consented to the operation.
Pope Leo XIV tells the faithful gathered for the Angelus on Sunday that his doctors have found «a localized nodule» in his lung and will operate in a few days. He added that the nodule was «detected at a very early stage and is well localized.» https://t.co/1rTOE4WPUf
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) October 11, 2026
Holy See Press Office spokesperson Matteo Bruni told journalists the surgery is slated for the first days of next week. Bruni noted that the Pope will likely need a week to recover.
The operation will take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The medical centre maintains a dedicated papal suite that has remained in continuous use since its establishment following the failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in May 1981.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a statement on X, expressing her personal solidarity with the pontiff as he faces the ordeal ahead in the coming days.
Concluding his Sunday service, Leo thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and stated he was entrusting himself to their prayers.
South American tour remains on schedule
Despite the impending hospital stay, the Pope confirmed his scheduled diplomatic and pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru this November will proceed as planned.
Born Robert Francis Provost, the Chicago native made history when he succeeded Pope Francis in 2025, becoming the first American to lead the global Catholic Church. He serves as the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter.
Leo was ordained in 1982 and subsequently spent several years serving as a missionary in Peru. During his tenure in the country, he built a lasting legacy through his dedicated work alongside marginalised communities.
According to the National Health Service, a lung nodule is a minor lump of tissue generally detected during routine chest X-rays or CT scans. Health officials note these masses are overwhelmingly asymptomatic.
