Pope Leo XIV has announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days after doctors discovered a small growth in his lung during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff revealed 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 a very early stage and is well contained. Doctors recommended surgery to remove it, and he said he had decided to follow their advice.
The Vatican has not confirmed whether the growth is cancerous. Officials said the Pope’s recovery following the operation is expected to take approximately one week.
Pope Leo Shares Health Update With the Faithful
The announcement marks the first publicly disclosed major health concern since Leo XIV became head of the Catholic Church in May 2025.
Speaking to worshippers gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope explained that the growth had been discovered during recent medical checks.
He thanked the faithful for their support and prayers as he prepared for the procedure.
The Vatican has not released extensive details about the condition, and further medical information may become available after the operation.
What Is a Lung Nodule?
A lung nodule is a small, localised area of abnormal tissue in the lung. Such growths can have several causes, including infections, inflammation and, in some cases, cancer.
The discovery of a lung nodule does not automatically mean a person has cancer. Doctors assess factors such as its size, appearance, medical history and test results when deciding whether further investigation or treatment is necessary.
In Pope Leo’s case, the Vatican has said the growth was detected early and that doctors recommended removing it. No confirmed diagnosis of cancer has been announced. <Cite refs={["turn944953news0","turn944953news1"]}/>
Vatican Expects About One Week of Recovery
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the procedure was scheduled for the first days of the coming week and that the expected period of recovery in hospital was approximately one week.
The operation is expected to take place in Rome, where Gemelli Hospital has facilities used for papal medical care.
Officials have not provided further details about the surgical procedure or its possible effects on the Pope’s public schedule.
Pope’s Planned South America Visit
Despite the health announcement, Pope Leo referred to his upcoming pastoral visit to South America during Sunday’s address.
The trip is scheduled for November 6 to 17 and is expected to include stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
The Vatican has not announced a change to the itinerary in the information available so far. The impact of the operation and recovery period on his schedule remains to be confirmed.
Messages of Support for the Pope
Following the announcement, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pontiff and wished him well ahead of the operation.
The Pope’s disclosure has drawn attention from Catholics and other observers worldwide, many of whom are awaiting further information about his recovery.
For now, the Vatican has confirmed the planned surgery but has not disclosed whether the lung growth is malignant.
The coming days are expected to provide more information about the procedure and the Pope’s recovery.