Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lung

Oct. 11, 2026, 10:34 AM UTCThe American pontiff, 71, said Sunday that recent medical checks led to the detection of the early-stage nodule. The procedure will take place in the coming days, he said.Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 7, 2026.Maria Grazia Picciarella / LightRocket via GettyPope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery to remove an early-stage nodule on his lung.“Recently, during some medical tests, doctors discovered a localized nodule in my lung,” the American pontiff, 71, said during his noon prayer at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” Leo said from the window of the Apostolic Palace. “The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.”The pontiff said that surgery had already been scheduled “for the coming days,” and thanked onlookers for their support.“I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said. The news drew applause from the thousands gathered in the square, before he wished the crowd a “happy Sunday.” No further details were immediately released.Leo announced the surgery at the end of his regular address, in which he appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine and the safe transport of grain across the Black Sea.“The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war,” he said. Leo has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active, playing in weekly games of tennis.The pontiff is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November. It’s unclear whether the planned surgery and recovery would affect the itinerary.Born Robert Francis Prevost, he became the first American pope when he was appointed in 2025. Originally from the South Side of Chicago, he spent much of his career ministering in Peru and leading the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops.Leo’s father, Louis Prevost, served in the Navy during World War II and worked as a superintendent of schools in the south suburbs of Chicago. His mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, was a librarian with a master’s degree in education and two sisters who were nuns.