Pope Leo XIV is expected to undergo surgery after doctors discovered a small nodule in his lung during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff announced the development on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during his weekly Angelus address at the Vatican, saying the growth had been detected at an early stage.
“During some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized,” Leo said, according to Vatican News.
The Pope said his doctors had recommended surgery to remove the nodule and that he had decided to follow their advice.
The procedure is expected to take place in the coming days, with the pontiff anticipated to require approximately one week to recover, according to reports.
Is Pope Leo XIV suffering from cancer?
The discovery has raised questions about the Pope’s health, but no confirmed cancer diagnosis has been announced.
A lung nodule is a small area of abnormal tissue that may result from several causes, including infection, inflammation, or cancer. Many lung nodules are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.
The nature of the growth cannot be established from its discovery alone. Further medical examination, including analysis of tissue removed during surgery, may be necessary to determine whether it is cancerous.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is benign or malignant.
Leo was elected head of the Catholic Church in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.
The pontiff has a planned pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026. It remains unclear whether the surgery and recovery period will affect the trip.
The Pope has asked the faithful to keep him in their prayers as he prepares for the procedure.
