Pope Leo XIV to have lung surgery within days, Vatican says

Pope Leo XIV, 71, said during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square in Rome on 11 October 2026 that doctors had found an early, well-localised nodule on his lung, and that he had agreed to be operated on in the coming days.

What did Pope Leo XIV say about the nodule?

“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” the pontiff told pilgrims in the square, adding that his medical team “believe it would be right to intervene”. He described the mass as “well-contained” and said it had been caught “at an early stage”.

When and where will the surgery take place?

Holy See Press Office spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week, and that the Pope is expected to take about a week to recover. Vatican News, the Holy See’s news portal, said the surgery will be carried out at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The hospital set up a special papal suite after the failed assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in May 1981, and that suite is still in use.

What is a lung nodule?

A lung nodule is a small lump of tissue usually detected following an X-ray or CT scan of the chest, according to the NHS. Most nodules do not cause other symptoms.

How does this compare with Pope Francis’s health?

The announcement comes nearly a year and a half after Leo succeeded the late Pope Francis, who also experienced issues with his lungs that required hospital treatment.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and the first US citizen to hold the office. He was ordained in 1982 and spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he is remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities. Large public celebrations have marked his papacy, including a Paris Mass attended by 700,000 worshippers.

Will the Pope’s November trip still go ahead?

During Sunday’s service, the Pope confirmed that his upcoming visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November will still go ahead. Daniel Sturla, the Archbishop of Montevideo, said preparations for the tour will continue with “greater enthusiasm” and called for prayers for the Pope’s recovery.

What have political leaders said?

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “personal solidarity” with the Pope as he “faces the ordeal ahead in the coming days”. Italian President Sergio Mattarella offered his “sincerest wishes for a peaceful recovery and a speedy and full return to health”, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog wished the pontiff “a full and speedy recovery”.

Leo concluded his Angelus prayer by thanking everyone for their “spiritual closeness” and said he entrusted himself to their prayers.

Frequently asked questions

What is a lung nodule?

A lung nodule is a small lump of tissue usually detected following an X-ray or CT scan of the chest, according to the NHS. Most nodules do not cause other symptoms.

When will Pope Leo XIV have surgery?

Holy See Press Office spokesman Matteo Bruni said the operation is scheduled for the first days of next week at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, and the Pope is expected to take about a week to recover.

Will Pope Leo XIV still travel in November?

Yes. During his Sunday prayers, Pope Leo XIV confirmed his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November will go ahead.

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Leo XIV was born Robert Francis Prevost and is the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and the first US citizen to hold the office. He was ordained in 1982 and spent years as a missionary in Peru.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)