VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday, October 11, that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule from his lung, marking the first major health concern publicly disclosed during his 17-month papacy.
The 71-year-old pontiff said the lesion was discovered at an early stage and was localized. According to the Vatican, the procedure is expected to be followed by approximately one week of recovery.
Leo shared the news during his customary Sunday noon blessing, thanking the faithful for their support and asking them to pray for him as he prepares for the operation.
Speaking in Italian, the pope explained that the decision to proceed with surgery followed medical advice.
“Doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is circumscribed. The doctors believe it’s best to take action, so, following their advice, I have decided to have surgery to remove it,” Leo said.
He also expressed gratitude to those offering him spiritual support.
“for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.
A lung nodule is a small abnormal growth measuring less than three centimeters that may be detected through imaging examinations, including CT scans. According to the American Cancer Society, these findings can appear during scans conducted for various medical reasons and do not necessarily indicate cancer.
Dr. Stephen Liu, a lung cancer specialist at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said such nodules are relatively common and are frequently noncancerous. However, their appearance on medical scans can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish benign growths from malignant ones.
“Lung nodules are fairly common and are often benign, but benign and cancerous nodules can have a similar appearance on imaging,” Liu said.
“When there is sufficient concern, and when it is safe to do so based on the location of the nodule and the overall health of the patient, surgical removal can provide a definitive diagnosis,” he added in an email.
There has been no publicly reported indication of significant health problems affecting Leo before the announcement. The pope is also known for maintaining an active lifestyle, including playing tennis regularly and swimming at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
Upcoming papal trip remains on schedule
The pope’s planned international visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 could be affected by the surgery and his recovery. However, it remains uncertain whether the medical procedure will require any changes to his travel plans.
Leo indicated during his Sunday remarks that he still intended to proceed with the scheduled trip.
The operation is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis. The hospital has a dedicated apartment for pontiffs requiring medical care.
As of Sunday, there was no clear confirmation that Leo had already been admitted to the hospital.
Doctors stress the importance of diagnosis
Dr. Massimo Di Maio, president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology, said determining whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant will be a critical step in assessing the pope’s condition. If the lesion proves cancerous, doctors will also need to establish whether the disease has spread.
Di Maio noted that detecting cancer at an early stage can improve treatment prospects, with the primary objective being to cure the disease when possible.
Leo’s announcement comes months after Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, following a stroke after a prolonged hospital stay involving a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. Francis had a history of chronic lung disease and underwent surgery to remove part of one lung when he was younger.
The Vatican has not publicly identified the lung nodule as cancerous, and further medical findings will be needed to determine its nature. For now, the pope is preparing for surgery on his doctors’ recommendation while continuing to express his intention to carry out his planned responsibilities.