Pope Leo to Undergo Lung Surgery After Early Nodule Detected

Sun Oct 11 2026 18:56:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Pope Leo XIV will have lung surgery after a small nodule is found; he says it is early and well-contained, and plans to recover in a week.

Pope Leo XIV announced he will have surgery to remove a small lung nodule discovered during a check‑up. The 71‑year‑old said the nodule was early and well‑contained, reassuring pilgrims of his health. The operation is set for early next week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and he expects a short recovery. Global leaders from Italy and Israel have offered prayers and support.

Pope Leo announces upcoming lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV said he will be operated on in the coming days after doctors discovered a small nodule on his lung during a routine check‑up.

He told pilgrims in St Peter's Square that the nodule was early, well‑localised and “well‑contained”, and he had agreed to the procedure. The pontiff also thanked the faithful for their spiritual closeness and said he was entrusting his recovery to their prayers.

The surgery is scheduled for the first days of next week at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where a papal suite has been used since the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. A spokesperson for the Holy See said the Pope should recover in about a week.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella expressed their solidarity and wished a speedy recovery, as did Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Pope Leo remains on track to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru later in November.

A lung nodule is a small lump of tissue that can be found on a chest X‑ray or CT scan. Most nodules are harmless and do not cause symptoms, but early detection improves treatment options.