Pope Leo says will undergo surgery for small growth on lung
- On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Pope Leo XIV announced he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical checks at Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
- Discovered during recent medical examinations, the localized nodule is 'circumscribed' and well-contained; Leo described the finding during his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, noting doctors recommended immediate intervention.
- Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated the procedure is expected early next week, with an estimated one-week recovery period; officials have not released further medical details regarding the nodule's precise nature.
- Uncertainty surrounds the pontiff's planned November 6-17 diplomatic tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, as it remains unclear whether the surgery will force itinerary changes; the Vatican has not addressed potential impact.
- The 71-year-old Chicago-born pontiff maintains an active lifestyle with weekly tennis and swimming, contrasting sharply with his predecessor Pope Francis, who faced significant health challenges during his final years before dying at age 88.
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Pope Leo, 71, says he’ll undergo surgery to remove nodule on his lung
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday he will undergo surgery “in the coming days” to remove a nodule on his lung, in the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate.
Pope Leo XIV wants to undergo lung surgery in the coming days.
Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery for small growth on lung | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
VATICAN CITY >> Pope Leo said on Sunday that doctors had detected a small growth on his lung during a recent health check and he would be undergoing surgery this week to remove it, in the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff’s tenure.
Pope Leo to undergo surgery to remove nodule on his lung
The 71-year-old Leo said the nodule was found at an early stage and was “circumscribed” or small and well-localized. The Vatican said Leo's expected recovery time from surgery would be a week.
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