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Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove small lung nodule at Rome's Gemelli Hospital
Pope Leo XIV announced after the Oct 11 Angelus that doctors found a small, localized nodule in his lung; surgery is scheduled this week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital with about a week of recovery expected.
Why it matters
The 71-year-old Pope Leo XIV personally told pilgrims in St Peter's Square after the Sunday Angelus on Oct 11: "During 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." It is the first major publicly disclosed health development of his pontificate, which began with his election on May 8, 2025.
Full report
Vatican press office director Matteo Bruni confirmed to reporters that the operation will take place in the first days of this week at Rome's Gemelli Hospital — the facility where popes traditionally receive treatment — with an estimated post-operative hospital stay of about one week. The pontiff disclosed no symptoms or diagnosis details and gave no exact date. He thanked the crowds for their "spiritual closeness" and entrusted himself to their prayers.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo is the first American pope, succeeding Pope Francis, who died April 21, 2025. After the announcement, Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, and Israel's President Isaac Herzog conveyed their wishes, and US bishops' conference president Archbishop Paul S. Coakley invited the faithful to pray for him. His Nov 6–17 pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru is reportedly still expected to go ahead.
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