Vatican Says Pope Leo XIV's Lung Nodule Surgery Completed Successfully

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on 13 October 2026 to remove a small nodule from his lung. The Vatican announced that evening that the procedure was completed successfully, on schedule, and as planned. The 71-year-old pontiff returned to his room at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after the operation.

Leo walked into the hospital through the main entrance earlier in the day and waved to well-wishers gathered outside. A team led by Dr. Stefano Margaritora, Gemelli’s chief thoracic surgeon, performed the surgery. The Vatican had canceled all of the pope’s public audiences through 20 October. Recovery is expected to require about a week in hospital.

Leo disclosed the nodule himself on 11 October during his Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square. He said doctors had found a localized, well-contained growth during recent medical checks. It was detected at a very early stage. He decided to follow medical advice and have it removed. The Vatican has not stated whether the nodule is malignant. Oncologists not involved in the case have said the prognosis is excellent if the lesion is cancerous, given the early detection and complete removal.

This is the first major publicly disclosed health event of Leo’s pontificate, which began in May 2025. Previous popes, including Francis and John Paul II, were treated at Gemelli, which maintains a dedicated apartment for pontiffs. Leo’s transparency about the diagnosis and timing of the operation marked a departure from more guarded approaches in earlier eras. He thanked pilgrims for their prayers and spiritual closeness when he announced the procedure.

Pathology results will determine the nature of the tissue. Final reports can take several days. The surgery itself is typically performed under general anesthesia and carries low risk for a localized nodule. The American Thoracic Society notes that fewer than 5 percent of lung nodules overall prove cancerous, though risk increases with age and other factors. Leo has not been described as a smoker.

The Vatican continues to function during the hospital stay, though documents requiring the pope’s signature will be delayed. A major trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru planned for 6–17 November remains on the calendar. Officials have not indicated whether the itinerary will change. Crowds gathered at Gemelli, and Cardinal Baldassare Reina, vicar general of the Diocese of Rome, led a rosary for the pope’s recovery.

Leo, the first American pope, has maintained an active schedule since his election. The nodule was found during routine examinations rather than after symptoms. No further medical details have been released beyond the successful completion of the procedure and the expected week of recovery. The Holy See Press Office said it would provide additional information later.

The episode has drawn messages of support from Catholic communities worldwide. No complications were reported in the initial Vatican statement. Leo is expected to remain under observation at Gemelli through the coming days.