Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery this week

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption Gregorio Borgia/AP Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he would have surgery this week to remove a "localized nodule" in his lung. Leo said the nodule was found at a "very early stage" with doctors recommending surgery. "Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it," Leo said during his weekly Sunday noon blessing in St. Peter's Square. The surgery is due to occur at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, which is the primary location for popes to receive medical attention. Leo has had no known previous health problems. "I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers," Leo said to the crowds on Sunday. According to the American Cancer Society, a lung nodule is a small abnormal area, less than or equal to 3 cm, found during a CT scan of the chest or abdomen. These tests are often conducted as routine screenings for "trauma, heart disease, non-cancer related lung disease, or lung infection." Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a statement that "the operation is scheduled for the first days of...