Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical checks, the Vatican announced, according to CNN.
The 71-year-old pontiff said the growth was detected early and doctors recommended removing it. He is scheduled to enter Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Tuesday and is expected to remain there for approximately one week while recovering.
Leo maintained his regular schedule on Monday, attending several meetings and a gathering of bishops and church leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope ahead of the procedure. Leo is also preparing for a November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled from November 6 to 17.
Related Tweet:
Pope Leo XIV said that a nodule was detected in his lung “at a very early stage and is well localized,” and that he would follow the advice of doctors and have it removed. Leo is expected to have a recovery time of one week, Vatican officials said. https://t.co/JWSbmydDuG https://t.co/KbXN9KTThA
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 12, 2026
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