Pope Leo XIV lung surgery
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to a Rome hospital to undergo surgery to remove a small growth or nodule on one of his lungs. The Vatican said the growth was discovered at an early stage and was circumscribed, and the pope cancelled planned public events until around 20 October ahead of the procedure.
Current state
Pope Leo XIV has been admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for surgery to remove a small, early-stage, localized lung nodule; his public engagements are suspended until 20 October and the Vatican expects about a week of recovery.
5 sources · 5 reports · Updated 13 Oct 2026
What changed
Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Tuesday morning for lung nodule surgery scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, while uncertainty remains over whether his 6 November Latin America tour will proceed.
Developments
- Key development
He was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Tuesday morning for the operation, with the Vatican saying surgery would take place on Tuesday afternoon.
- Key development
He cancelled all planned public events until Tuesday 20 October ahead of the surgery.
- Key development
Pope Leo XIV announced during his Sunday blessing that he would undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small, early-stage lung nodule.
Current story coverage
Earlier coverage
- Pope Leo cancels all public events ahead of lung surgery Pope Leo has cancelled all planned public events until Tuesday 20 October, ahead of surgery to remove a small growth on one of his lungs.
- Pope Leo to undergo surgery to remove nodule on his lung The 71-year-old Leo said the nodule was found at an early stage and was "circumscribed" or small and well-localized. The Vatican said Leo's expected recovery time from surgery would be a week.