Pope Leo XIV is preparing to undergo surgery after doctors discovered a small nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations, a development that has drawn attention to the health of the leader of the Catholic Church.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during his weekly Angelus address at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
According to the Pope, the growth was detected at an early stage and is confined to a limited area of his lung. Following consultations with his medical team, he agreed to undergo an operation to have it removed.
The procedure is expected to take place in the coming days, although the precise date was not disclosed in the report.
The Vatican press office reportedly indicated that the Pope would need approximately one week to recover from the operation.
Pope Explains Decision To Undergo Surgery
Addressing the faithful gathered at St Peter’s Square, Leo said the discovery followed recent medical checks and that doctors had recommended surgical intervention.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” he said.
He added that he had accepted his doctors’ recommendation and that arrangements for the operation had already been made.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it. The operation is already planned in the coming days,” the pontiff stated.
The report did not identify the type of nodule or provide a confirmed diagnosis. The discovery of a lung nodule does not, by itself, establish that a person has cancer; its significance depends on medical assessment and further investigations.
Who Is Pope Leo XIV?
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States, Leo XIV became the first American to lead the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis in April 2025.
Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, after serving as pontiff for more than 12 years. During his final period of illness, he received treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where popes have traditionally been cared for.
Leo was elected as his successor on May 8, 2025, taking leadership of the worldwide Catholic Church at a significant moment for the institution.
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Before his election, Prevost held senior positions within the Church and was known for his work in its leadership and administration.
What The Surgery Means For The Pope
The planned operation comes as Leo continues his responsibilities as head of the Catholic Church, an institution with a global following and an extensive programme of religious and diplomatic engagements.
The reported one-week recovery period could affect his immediate schedule, although no specific changes to his public engagements were detailed in the report.
For now, the information released indicates that the nodule was found early and that the decision to operate followed medical advice. Further details about the procedure, the nature of the growth and the Pope’s recovery will depend on updates from the Vatican or his medical team.