Pope Leo: I will undergo surgery soon to remove nodule in my lung

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV told the faithful gathered for the Angelus on Sunday that his doctors have found a “a localized nodule” in his lung and he will be operated on in a few days. The medical procedure will take place at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

He added that the nodule was “detected at a very early stage and is well localized.”

The Pope said his doctors recommend surgery and he will follow their advice, with the surgery scheduled for the coming days.

Pope Leo thanked everyone for their spiritual closeness and entrusted himself to our prayers.

Here is a working translation of his words in Italian at the Angelus on October 11, 2026:

“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized. The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”

Responding to journalists' questions, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, specified that "the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week and the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week."

The operation will take place at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

Post updated at 12:45 pm CDT on 11 October.