VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has confirmed a Pope Leo lung surgery will take place this week: Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule found on his lung, in the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff’s tenure.
FAKTA: Pope Leo XIV lung surgery
- What: Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a small, localized nodule on his lung
- When: Announced Sunday, October 11, 2026; surgery scheduled for the coming days
- Detection: Found during recent medical examinations; detected at a very early stage and “well-contained,” the pope said
- Recovery: The Vatican press office said recovery is expected to take about a week
- Who: Pope Leo XIV, 71, elected in May 2025 — the first pope to come from the United States
Pope Leo lung surgery announced in St. Peter’s Square
The pope made the announcement during his weekly Sunday noon prayer before pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, speaking in Italian.
“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung,” he said. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained.”
“The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” he added. “The operation is already scheduled for the next few days.”
He thanked the crowd for their spiritual support and asked for their prayers.
A lung nodule is a small, localized lesion that is often benign. The American Thoracic Society says fewer than 5% of lung nodules overall prove cancerous, although the risk rises with age, size and other factors.
First health scare of his tenure
Pope Leo is considered physically active — he plays tennis and swims at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo — and has had no previously known health problems since his election by the world’s cardinals in May 2025.
The Pope Leo lung surgery is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where his predecessors were also treated and where a special apartment is reserved for pontiffs.
November tour
The pope keeps a busy schedule and is due to make an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. It is not yet clear whether the surgery and recovery will affect the itinerary, but he said earlier in his remarks on Sunday that he planned to go.
His predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, and had suffered chronic lung problems throughout his life.
Read more world news on the Watan News world desk.
