Health · Medical Research · 10 hrs ago
Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove early-stage lung nodule
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have surgery this week at Gemelli hospital in Rome to remove a small nodule in his lung.
The Vatican says it was detected at a very early stage during routine tests, and that no specific health problem prompted the check-up.
A lung nodule can be benign or malignant, and the Vatican has not said which applies in Leo’s case.
Leo is 71 and is considered otherwise healthy and physically fit, factors that may support his recovery.
The Vatican expects him to spend about a week recovering, and officials have suggested he may miss a public Mass planned for Wednesday.
He has also said he still plans to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, but it is unclear whether surgery will affect the trip.
Even if he is unconscious during surgery, Leo remains pope and retains his authority; Vatican officials handle day-to-day operations.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to have surgery this week to remove a lung nodule detected at a very early stage.
The Vatican said the nodule was found during routine medical tests and that no particular health issue prompted the check-up.
Leo is expected to spend about a week recovering in Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
It is unclear whether the surgery will affect his scheduled activities or his planned November trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV.
- What
- He is scheduled to have an operation to remove a localized lung nodule detected at a very early stage.
- When
- In the first days of the week of October 12, 2026. The exact date was not released.
- Where
- Rome’s Gemelli hospital, formally known as the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic.
- Why
- The nodule was found during routine medical tests. The Vatican said no particular health issue prompted the check-up.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo approved Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as the new dean of the College of Cardinals.
Vatican officials suggested Leo might miss a public Mass scheduled for Wednesday.
Leo said he still planned to make his November trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Leo had a full slate of audiences and appointments, while the Vatican said surgery would take place in the first days of the week.
- Age
- 71
- Nodule
- Less than 3 centimeters across
- Hospital
- Gemelli hospital, Rome
- Expected recovery
- About one week
- Planned trip
- November 6–17, to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
- Scheduled Mass
- Wednesday, to close a weeklong conference on family ministry
What people are saying
I still planned to make the trip.
excellent
recent medical tests
Sources
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