Mirian Gom 
Pope Leo XIV
ABUJA, Nigeria – Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule from his lung, saying doctors detected the growth at a very early stage and recommended an operation.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, 11 October 2026. “During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” he said. “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 operation is already planned in the coming days,” he added.
The Vatican press office said the expected recovery period following the procedure would be approximately one week. The Vatican has not disclosed whether the nodule is benign or malignant. The Pope’s announcement that it was detected early does not, by itself, establish its nature.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Leo became the first American pope when he was elected leader of the world’s Roman Catholic Church on 8 May 2025, following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88.
Francis spent weeks receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital during his final illness. The hospital has traditionally treated popes requiring medical care. Leo’s announcement marks a significant health development during his pontificate, although the Vatican has indicated that his operation is planned and his expected recovery period is about a week.
The Vatican has not indicated that the planned operation will affect the Pope’s wider responsibilities. His immediate priority is to undergo the procedure recommended by his doctors and recover.
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Oluwatobi Adu