Pope Leo to Undergo Surgery After Doctors Find Nodule in Lung

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

Pope Leo XIV revealed he is planning to undergo surgery after doctors found a small, localized nodule in his lung.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized,” Pope Leo said in a Sunday morning post on X.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it.”

The surgery is expected to take place in “the coming days,” and the pope did not specify exactly when or where the operation would take place.

“I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers,” he added.

This is a developing story and will be updated.