Vladimir PutinMatteo BruniDonald TrumpVolodymyr ZelenskiyAlexus GrynkewichPope Leo XIVVaticanUS Air ForceNATOAgence France-Presse

Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule in Rome on Tuesday; first hospitalization since becoming head of 1.4 billion Catholics

Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove a lung nodule, marking his first hospitalization since becoming the head of the Catholic Church in May 2025. The 71-year-old pontiff announced the procedure after doctors discovered the nodule during recent medical checks, according to the Vatican.

Le Monde.fr Le Monde.fr+1 source12 October 2026 · 22:11 UTC
Media in this story
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Pope Leo XIV is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday, October 13, to remove a pulmonary nodule, marking his first hospitalization since becoming the head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. The Vatican confirmed that the operation will take place at Rome's Gemelli hospital, which features a dedicated papal suite.1

The 71-year-old pontiff announced the surgery during Angelus prayers on Sunday, revealing that doctors discovered the nodule "at a very early stage" during routine medical checks. He stated, "The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it."

The Vatican indicated that the recovery time could be about a week, with Leo's audiences canceled until October 20. Despite this health concern, he is expected to recover in time for a planned visit to Latin America next month, which includes stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6-17.2345

Chicago-born Leo, the first US pope, is generally considered to be in good health, enjoying sports like tennis. His upcoming surgery has raised concerns among the faithful, but the Vatican reassures that it is a precautionary measure.

Key Insight
“The Vatican said recovery could take about a week, and the pope's audiences have been canceled until October 20. He is expected to recover in time for an 11-day trip to Latin America from November 6-17, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.”
Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to a hospital in Rome for lung nodule surgery
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Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to a hospital in Rome for lung nodule surgery
What to know about Pope Leo’s planned lung nodule surgery
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What to know about Pope Leo’s planned lung nodule surgery
Doctor on lung nodule surgery after Pope Leo's announcement
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Doctor on lung nodule surgery after Pope Leo's announcement
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1
Le Monde.frLe Monde.fr
“Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to hospital on Tuesday morning, October 13, for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, the Vatican said.”
Le Monde.fr →
2
Shaw LocalShaw Local
“NATO's top commander warned Russia on Monday that ‌his forces would destroy "anything and everything" involved in any attack if Moscow was "foolish enough" to launch an assault on alliance territory.”
Shaw Local →
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule, says "I've decided to have surgery to remove it"; will not present medal at Villanova conference in Rome
CBS NewsCBS News
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule, says "I've decided to have surgery to remove it"; will not present medal at Villanova conference in Rome

Pope Leo XIV, a Villanova alumnus, will not present the medal at the Villanova Sustainability Conference in Rome as he prepares for surgery, the Vatican announced.

Cbs News PhiladelphiaLung Nodule SurgeryMedal Presentation
2026-10-12
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Pope Leo XIV said doctors advised surgery to remove a lung nodule, stating, "The doctors believe it's best to take action, so, following their advice, I've decided to have surgery to remove it."
  • Villanova University expressed prayers for Pope Leo XIV ahead of his surgery, saying, "May God grant the Holy Father strength, healing and a full recovery in the days ahead."
  • A Villanova spokesperson told CBS News Philadelphia that the sustainability conference in Rome will go on as scheduled, though it is unclear who will present the medal.
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule after Vatican says he will be admitted to hospital Tuesday; will miss Villanova medal presentation
AP NewsAP News
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule after Vatican says he will be admitted to hospital Tuesday; will miss Villanova medal presentation

The Vatican announced that the pope will be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical tests.

Cardinal ReactionCircolo San PietroCollege Of Cardinals
2026-10-12
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The Vatican announced that the pope will be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday in the late morning for surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical tests.
  • The pope himself revealed the nodule discovery during his Sunday noon prayer and said he was following doctors’ advice to have it removed.
  • On Monday, the 71-year-old pope had a busy schedule, including an audience with the Circolo San Pietro charity, six other private audiences, three appointments, and a letter to the outgoing dean of the College of Cardinals.
  • The surgery marks the first major health event of the pope’s 17-month pontificate, and his self-disclosure at the Sunday noon blessing in St. Peter’s Square suggested an unusual level of transparency by the American pope.
  • Pope Leo will not present an inaugural sustainability medal because he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a small growth discovered in his lung.
  • The surgery was unexpected and surprised participants of the family conference; the pope was to preside over a Wednesday Mass and the final session but will now be absent, delaying the final report.
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule at Rome's Gemelli hospital; exact date not released
CNN
Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule at Rome's Gemelli hospital; exact date not released

Pope Leo is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a localized lung nodule detected at a very early stage, the first medical event of his 17-month papacy.

Agostino Gemelli PolyclinicAmerican Cancer SocietyCatholic Hospital Pope
2026-10-12
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The exact date of hospitalization and surgery was not released, but Leo had a full slate of audiences and appointments Monday, suggesting he wouldn’t leave the Vatican before Tuesday.
  • The pope will be treated at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, formally the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, a nonprofit Catholic teaching hospital. It has a special 10th-floor apartment for pontiffs with a private chapel.
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Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery this week for small, well-contained lung nodule; recovery expected to take about a week
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The 71-year-old pontiff, elected in May 2025, said the nodule was detected at a very early stage and is well contained. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support, saying the serenity and composure with which he spoke are reassuring.

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Speaking at St Peter's Square during his weekly Sunday blessing, the pope said in Italian, "The doctors believe it's best to take action, so, following their advice, I've decided to have surgery to remove it." The Vatican later said a week of recovery time is expected, though spokespeople did not say whether the nodule is believed to be malignant.

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