ROME, Italy — Pope Leo XIV is recovering at a hospital in Rome after undergoing successful surgery to remove a small growth from one of his lungs, the Vatican announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, where doctors removed a pulmonary nodule discovered during routine medical examinations.
“The procedure was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned,” the Vatican said in a statement.
The Pope subsequently returned to his hospital room and is expected to remain under medical supervision for approximately one week.
The operation was performed by a thoracic surgery team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, the hospital’s chief thoracic surgeon.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the removed growth was benign or malignant. Medical examinations of the tissue are expected to help determine whether further treatment will be necessary.
Pope Disclosed His Condition on Sunday
The surgery followed an unusually candid announcement by the Pope during his Sunday Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on October 11.
Speaking to thousands of worshippers, Leo revealed that doctors had discovered a small nodule during recent medical examinations and had recommended its removal.
“It was detected at a very early stage and is well-localized,” he said, according to the Vatican’s official transcript.
The Pope explained that he had decided to follow his doctors’ advice and thanked the faithful for their prayers.
The announcement marked the first major publicly disclosed health concern of his pontificate, which began in May 2025.
On Tuesday, Leo arrived at Gemelli Hospital after travelling from the Vatican in a black vehicle. He waved to well-wishers and greeted hospital officials before entering the facility.
What Doctors Know About the Growth
Pulmonary nodules are small areas of abnormal tissue in the lungs. Although many are non-cancerous, some can indicate malignancy, particularly depending on their size, appearance, and the patient’s medical history.
According to the American Thoracic Society, fewer than five per cent of lung nodules overall are found to be cancerous.
Medical specialists interviewed by international news organisations said the early detection described by the Pope was encouraging, although his individual prognosis cannot be established without the results of further examinations.
Dr Lorenzo Spaggiari, director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, told the Associated Press that such conditions can often be treated effectively when identified early.
He was not involved in the pontiff’s treatment.
The Vatican has not released detailed information about the surgical technique used or the findings from the removed tissue.
Vatican Cancels Public Engagements
The Pope’s public audiences and engagements have been cancelled until October 20 to allow him time to recover.
His hospitalisation has also required changes to a major Vatican gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, the apostolic exhortation on family life issued by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has been designated to preside over a Mass associated with the gathering on Wednesday, October 14, in the Pope’s absence.
Despite the temporary interruption to his schedule, routine Vatican administration will continue. Matters requiring the pontiff’s personal approval may be deferred until he is able to resume his duties.
Leo is also scheduled to undertake an 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru beginning November 6.
The Vatican has not announced any changes to that itinerary.
First Major Health Challenge of His Papacy
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Leo became the first American pope following his election on May 8, 2025.
Before assuming the papacy, he spent many years serving the Catholic Church in Peru, first as a missionary and subsequently as a bishop.
He is generally regarded as physically active and has maintained an interest in tennis and swimming.
Unlike his predecessor, Pope Francis, who experienced repeated hospitalisations and significant respiratory problems before his death in April 2025, Leo has not previously experienced major publicly reported health difficulties during his papacy.
He did, however, suffer a serious bout of typhoid fever while working as a missionary in Peru in 1985, an experience he later described as profoundly affecting his life and vocation.
Gemelli Hospital has a long association with the Vatican and has treated several pontiffs, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.
For now, attention remains focused on Leo’s recovery and the medical findings that will establish the nature of the removed growth.
The Vatican has indicated that further information about the Pope’s condition will be provided as his recovery progresses.
