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Pope Leo XIV says doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations.
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The Pontiff says the nodule was detected at a very early stage and doctors have recommended surgery to remove it.
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The operation will take place at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in the first days of the week.
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The Vatican says the Pope’s estimated post-operative recovery period will be about one week.
October 11, (THEWILL) – Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery in Rome after doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old Pontiff personally disclosed the development on Sunday while addressing the faithful gathered for the Angelus, saying doctors had advised that the nodule be surgically removed.
Leo said the growth was detected at a “very early stage” and was “well-localised,” adding that he had accepted the recommendation of his medical team and that the operation had already been scheduled.
The procedure will be performed at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, a medical facility with a longstanding history of treating popes.
“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized.
“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days.
“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers. Thank you, and happy Sunday!” Pope Leo told the faithful.
Following the Pope’s announcement, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, provided further details about the timing of the operation and the expected recovery period.
Responding to questions from journalists, Bruni said: “The operation is scheduled for the first days of this week and the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week.”
The announcement immediately puts the health of the leader of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics under international attention, with further updates expected from the Vatican following the procedure.
However, neither Pope Leo nor the Holy See has said that the lung nodule is cancerous. The Vatican has also not disclosed the precise nature of the growth beyond the Pope’s statement that it is small, localised and was detected at a very early stage.
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Background
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States, Leo XIV was elected the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, succeeding Pope Francis.
His election made history as he became the first American-born pontiff to lead the Catholic Church.
Before ascending to the papacy, Prevost spent many years as a missionary and church leader in Peru, eventually becoming Bishop of Chiclayo. Pope Francis later brought him to Rome, where he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the Vatican’s most influential departments.
The Gemelli Polyclinic, where Leo will undergo surgery, has for decades been closely associated with the medical care of pontiffs.
Pope John Paul II was treated there on several occasions, while Pope Francis underwent treatment and surgery at the hospital during his pontificate, including abdominal surgery in June 2023.
Francis also spent weeks at the Gemelli in early 2025 while battling a severe respiratory illness before returning to the Vatican.
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