Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to undergo surgery after doctors discovered a small, localized nodule in his lung.
The 71-year-old pontiff reportedly announced the development to pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, October 11, 2026, noting that the nodule was detected at an early stage.
The procedure is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, with the Vatican indicating that he may need about a week to recover.
Although most lung nodules are non-cancerous, no confirmed diagnosis regarding the nature of the pope’s nodule has been announced.