Pope Leo to undergo surgery for growth on lung
Pope Leo has announced he will undergo surgery this week to remove a small, localized nodule detected on his lung. The Vatican stated the growth was caught early and the pontiff is expected to recover within a week.
Why it matters
As the leader of the Catholic Church, the health of the Pope is a matter of significant global interest and potential impact on Vatican operations.
Pope Leo said on Sunday (October 12, 2026) 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.
Leo told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Sunday prayer that the growth was “well-contained” and had been spotted early.
“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung,” said the pontiff. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained.”
“The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” he said. “The operation is already scheduled for the next few days.”
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