Pope Leo XIV to Undergo Surgery to Remove Lung Nodule

Vatican City, October 11, 2026: Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a localised nodule in his lung, following medical advice, the Pope announced during the Angelus on Sunday.

The Pope said doctors detected the nodule at a very early stage and confirmed that it was well localised. He added that his doctors recommended surgery and that he had decided to follow their advice.

“During some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localised,” Pope Leo said, according to a working translation of his remarks in Italian.

The operation will take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists that the operation was scheduled for the first days of the week and that the estimated post-operative recovery period would be about one week.

Pope Leo thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and asked for their prayers as he prepares for the procedure.

“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.

Courtesy Vatican News