Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for localized lung nodule

On 11 October, Pope Leo XIV said doctors had identified an early-stage, confined lung nodule and that he would have it surgically removed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital within days.¹³⁵⁶

Planned operation

The pope said doctors had found a small nodule in his lung that was localized and detected early. He said he had agreed to surgery after the medical team recommended intervention. “The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he said.¹³⁵⁶

Matteo Bruni, who heads the Holy See Press Office, said the procedure is expected early this week. Bruni said the expected period of recovery after the procedure would be about one week. Vatican News, the BBC and Euronews reported that the surgery is due to take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.¹³⁶

The announcement was the first major health event of Leo’s pontificate, according to the Associated Press. Euronews reported that the pope, who became pontiff in 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, is 71.³⁴

Public engagements and travel

The day he made the announcement, Leo again urged peace in Ukraine and asked those involved in the war to allow grain shipments to move securely through the Black Sea. He said: “The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war.”²

The pope also called for the abolition of the death penalty, saying it was “inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.”²

A November visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains planned, according to the BBC. Daniel Sturla, the Archbishop of Montevideo, said preparations for the tour would continue. NPR reported that it was not yet clear whether the surgery would affect the travel schedule.¹²

Messages of support

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed “personal solidarity with the Pope,” according to the BBC. Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, wished him a peaceful recovery and a speedy return to health, while Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, wished him a full and speedy recovery.¹