The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to hospital on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, for surgery to remove a small nodule detected in one of his lungs.
The 71 year old leader of the Catholic Church disclosed on Sunday that the nodule had been discovered during a medical examination. He said it had been detected at an early stage.
The Vatican Press Office confirmed that the Pope would be admitted to hospital before noon on Tuesday, although it did not specify the exact time the operation would take place.
Despite the upcoming procedure, Pope Leo XIV continued with his regular schedule on Monday, attending seven previously arranged meetings in the morning.
Among those he received were bishops from Argentina, Nicaragua and the United States. He also met members of a charitable organisation operating in Rome, thanking them for their work. During the engagements, the Pope spoke in a strong and clear voice.
According to the Vatican, he is expected to spend approximately a week resting and recovering after the surgery.
Medical experts note that small lung nodules are not necessarily cancerous. The American Lung Association says most lung nodules are benign, although the risk of cancer can increase depending on factors such as a person’s age, the size of the nodule and smoking history.
Dr Federico Venuto, head of thoracic surgery at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome, said removing such nodules often does not require extensive surgery.
He explained that doctors may use a minimally invasive technique involving a small tube fitted with a camera to examine the inside of the chest and guide the procedure.
“The risk of complications after surgery is very low,” Venuto told Reuters.
Pope Leo XIV was elected in May 2025. He is known to enjoy sports, including tennis, and there have been no widely reported indications that he smokes or has previously suffered from significant health problems.
His decision to speak publicly about his condition has been welcomed by Canadian Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, who expressed appreciation that the Pope had personally explained his medical situation and asked the faithful to pray for him.
