Pope Leo XIV has announced he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule from his lungs. The abnormality was detected at a very early stage during recent medical tests. Addressing the faithful in Vatican City on Sunday, 11 October 2026, Pope Leo informed them of his health condition and asked for their prayers.
Pope shares the news during Angelus prayer
Pope Leo XIV mentioned the planned operation at the conclusion of his traditional Sunday gathering with the faithful. He explained that doctors had discovered a well-defined nodule in his lungs during examinations and advised it be removed.
The Pope said he would comply with their recommendations. He also expressed gratitude for spiritual support and entrusted himself to the prayers of the faithful.
The information was reported by AP and TASR agencies. So far, details regarding the exact scope of the procedure or the definitive nature of the nodule have not been released.
What is known about the planned surgery
According to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, the surgery is scheduled for the beginning of next week. Hospitalization and recovery are expected to last about a week.
The operation will take place at the Gemelli clinic in Rome, which has previously provided medical care to other popes.
Importantly, the finding of a nodule alone does not indicate a specific diagnosis. Current information does not allow for conclusions about whether the growth is benign or malignant. The decisive answers will come from further medical examinations and possible analysis of the removed tissue.
Will the operation affect the pope’s schedule?
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled for an apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from 6 to 17 November 2026.
It is not yet clear whether the surgery and subsequent recovery will require any changes to his itinerary. Any alterations to the schedule will depend on his health and the recommendations of his medical team.
Since taking office, Pope Leo XIV has continued his public engagements and meetings with the faithful. The planned surgery thus comes as he faces a series of important official obligations.
Vatican will provide updates
The health of the head of the Catholic Church will be closely watched by believers and international media in the coming days. The Vatican has so far released basic information about the finding, the recommended surgery, and the anticipated recovery period.
Further details may be available after the procedure. Until these are released, there is no basis for drawing conclusions about the diagnosis or any long-term effects on the pope’s program.
For more updates on Pope Leo XIV, see our coverage of his recent call to halt an execution in Tennessee, which has so far received no response from the United States.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
