Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery to remove a small nodule discovered in one of his lungs during recent medical examinations, the Vatican has announced.
The 71-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church disclosed the development on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during his weekly Angelus address to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square.
According to the Pope, the nodule was detected at a very early stage and is well-localised. Following medical advice, he decided to proceed with surgery to remove it.
The Vatican confirmed on Monday that the pontiff would be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, ahead of the procedure. The exact timing of the operation had not been announced, while his postoperative hospital stay was expected to last approximately one week.
The discovery has drawn international attention because it represents a significant health development during Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, which began in May 2025.
However, the Vatican has not disclosed whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant. The finding alone does not establish a cancer diagnosis, and further medical assessment is necessary to determine its nature.
Despite the planned procedure, the Pope maintained his official schedule on Monday, meeting visitors and religious delegations at the Vatican.
His upcoming commitments include a planned pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. It remains unclear whether the surgery and recovery period will affect any of his scheduled engagements.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church following his election by the College of Cardinals in May 2025.
The Vatican has not announced any further details about the Pope’s medical condition. His planned surgery and recovery are expected to be closely followed by Catholics and observers around the world.
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