Pope Leo XIV announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule from his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff shared the information with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square immediately after the traditional Angelus prayer.

He stated that the nodule was identified during recent medical examinations at a very early stage and is well localized. Following the recommendation of his doctors, he decided to proceed with removal. “The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days,” he said, thanking those present for their spiritual closeness and asking for their prayers.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the procedure is set for the first days of the week and that the expected postoperative recovery period is about one week. The operation is planned at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital, a facility long associated with papal care and equipped with a dedicated suite for the pontiff.

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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…

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) October 11, 2026

The Vatican has not indicated whether the nodule is malignant. Medical sources generally describe a lung nodule as a small, dense area of tissue typically under three centimeters in size. Most such findings are noncancerous, though risk factors can increase with age and other variables.

This marks the first significant health matter publicly disclosed since Leo, an American-born prelate, was elected pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis. He has been described as maintaining an active routine that includes tennis and swimming at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, with no previously known major health conditions.

The announcement comes ahead of a scheduled international trip from November 6 to 17 that includes stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Officials have not stated whether the surgery and recovery will alter those plans.

During the same Angelus address, the pope also reiterated appeals regarding the conflict in Ukraine, specifically calling for continued safe passage of grain shipments through the Black Sea to protect food supplies in vulnerable regions.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed personal and governmental solidarity with the pontiff as he prepares for the procedure. The Holy See Press Office has indicated that routine Vatican operations will continue during the recovery period, though matters requiring the pope’s direct signature will be deferred.

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