Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday, October 11, 2026, that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodular lesion found on his lung during recent medical examinations. The 71-year-old pontiff said the nodule was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized, and that his doctors advised removing it.
The announcement in St. Peter's Square
Leo made the announcement during his Sunday noon blessing before pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square. Speaking in Italian, he said: "During some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it."
"The operation is already scheduled for the coming days," the pope added. "I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers."
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni later said the surgery is planned for the first days of the week, with an expected recovery time of about one week. The pope is expected to be treated at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where Francis and previous popes were treated and which maintains a special apartment for pontiffs.
First health scare of his papacy
This is the first significant health issue of Leo's tenure. The Chicago-born pope, the first American to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. He has no previously known health problems and is considered physically active, playing tennis weekly and swimming at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo.
His predecessor Francis died at 88 after a long hospitalization triggered by a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia; Francis suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.
Medical experts note that lung nodules are small clumps of dense tissue and most are non-cancerous, often scar tissue from past infections, frequently found incidentally on imaging done for other reasons.
What comes next
The pope has a major trip planned for November 6–17 to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. It is unclear whether the surgery and weeklong recovery will affect that itinerary, but Leo said during his remarks that he still planned to go. The Vatican is expected to release further details after the procedure.
Watch: Rome Reports: Leo XIV announces he will undergo surgery for an early-stage, localized lung nodule — the pope's full Angelus announcement from St. Peter's Square.
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Sources: Reuters · CNN · Associated Press via WVLT