Pope Leo XIV’s lung surgery successful, Vatican confirms

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, underwent successful surgery to remove a small, localised lung nodule at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, after doctors discovered the growth during recent medical examinations.

The Vatican confirmed on Tuesday evening that the procedure had been completed within the expected timeframe and according to plan, adding that the 71-year-old pontiff had returned to his hospital room.

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“The procedure was successfully completed, within the expected time and in the planned manner,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement published on the Vatican’s website.

“The Holy Father has returned to his room,” the statement added, noting that further information would follow.

The operation came after Pope Leo disclosed the medical findings during his Angelus address at the Vatican on Sunday, 11 October.

He told worshippers that doctors had identified a small nodule in his lung and recommended surgery to remove it.

The Pope explained that the growth had been detected at a very early stage and was well localised. After considering his doctors’ advice, he decided to proceed with the operation.

“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, the doctors found a small, localised nodule in my lung,” he said.

He added that his medical team believed intervention was the best course of action and thanked the faithful for their prayers and spiritual support.

The announcement prompted an outpouring of goodwill messages and prayers from Catholics and other well-wishers across different countries.

Many took to social media to express support for the pontiff ahead of the procedure.

Pope Leo arrived at Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday morning, smiling and waving to those gathered outside the facility before undergoing surgery.

The Vatican’s initial statement confirmed that the operation had been successful but did not provide further details about the nature of the nodule, the precise extent of the procedure or the expected duration of his recovery.

A lung nodule is a small growth that can be benign or cancerous. Its significance depends on several factors, including its appearance, size and the findings of further medical investigations.

The Vatican’s initial announcement did not establish that the Pope had been diagnosed with cancer.

The surgery marks Pope Leo XIV’s first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on 8 May 2025.

His health remains a matter of interest to Catholics worldwide, given his responsibilities as pontiff and his regular public engagements.

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For now, the successful completion of the operation provides an encouraging update, while further information from the Vatican is expected to clarify his recovery and when he will resume his normal duties.