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Vatican Angelus, 11 October 2026

Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday, October 13, for surgery to remove a lung nodule. The procedure, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, is being performed by a medical team led by chief thoracic surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora.

The 71-year-old pope announced the upcoming medical intervention during the Angelus prayer on Sunday, October 11, after doctors discovered a small, localized nodule in his lung. The Holy See clarified that the examinations leading to this discovery were routine checks. Following the surgery, the pope is expected to remain in the hospital for one week of convalescence.

The Vatican has canceled all papal audiences through October 20. Despite the surgery, the pope is still scheduled to travel to South America from November 6 to 17 to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

In response to the announcement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria called on the faithful to pray for the pope's successful operation and recovery. Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of the Archdiocese of Kaduna expressed gratitude that the condition was detected at an early stage.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

8 sources13 reports4 languages

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Earlier version, Wednesday 14 October

Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery

Earlier version, Tuesday 13 October

Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery Tuesday

Earlier version, Tuesday 13 October

Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery for lung nodule

Earlier version, Tuesday 13 October

Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery on Tuesday

Earlier version, Tuesday 13 October

Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 12, 1:15 AM cath.ch Français Stupeur et solidarité après l’annonce de l’opération du pape
  2. Oct 12, 5:03 AM Aleteia Français Léon XIV hospitalisé : les dernières nouvelles sur son état de santé
  3. Oct 12, 5:16 AM ZENIT News Agency Français Le pape Léon XIV opéré ce mardi d’un nodule au poumon
  4. Oct 12, 7:06 AM America Pope will enter hospital Tuesday for surgery to remove lung nodule
  5. Oct 11, 12:36 PM Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishops, clergy, religious and faithful offer prayers for Pope Leo ahead of lung surgery
  6. Oct 12, 2:34 AM The Catholic Register Bishops, clergy, religious and faithful join in prayer for Pope Leo ahead of lung surgery
  7. Oct 11, 3:38 AM DOMRADIO.DE Deutsch "In den kommenden Tagen" / Papst Leo XIV. muss an der Lunge operiert werden
  8. Oct 13, 6:47 PM Diocese of Linz Deutsch Papst Leo XIV. wird in den kommenden Tagen operiert
  9. Oct 11, 5:00 PM Archdiocese of Miami Pope Leo XIV to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule
  10. Oct 11, 10:10 PM Catholic World News Pope Leo to undergo surgery to remove lung nodule (CWN)
  11. Oct 13, 2:00 AM Niedziela Polski Papież Leon XIV przejdzie dziś operację usunięcia guzka w płucu
  12. Oct 13, 5:12 AM Crux Pope Leo XIV arrives at Rome’s Gemelli hospital ahead of surgery to remove lung nodule
  13. Oct 13, 1:50 PM ACI Africa Nigerian Catholic Bishops Call for Spiritual Solidarity with Pope Leo XIV ahead of Lung Surgery

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 46 sources Pope Leo XIV's doctors confirm no further treatment is necessary
  2. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  3. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 57 sources Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus
  4. Oct 22, 1:21 PM PT Chicago artist creates Marian icon for Pope Leo XIV, who will keep the image in his bedroom
  5. Oct 22, 1:17 PM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV is cancer-free
  6. Oct 22, 1:00 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV urges Catholic schools to help young people
  7. Oct 22, 12:43 PM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV meets American Jewish Committee
  8. Oct 22, 12:12 PM PT · 11 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  9. Oct 22, 12:11 PM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Argentina
  10. Oct 22, 11:21 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027
  11. Oct 22, 10:39 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to hold private audience with Villanova, Notre Dame teams
  12. Oct 22, 10:13 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV invites 2027 World Youth Day participants
  13. Oct 22, 9:05 AM PT Pope Leo XIV and the Pressure to Be Perfect: “Many Give Up Before Even Trying”
  14. Oct 22, 8:30 AM PT A Global Symphony of Prayer: 16 Readers Share Ways They Prayed for Pope Leo XIV
  15. Oct 22, 8:20 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV invites young people to Seoul for WYD 2027
  16. Oct 22, 8:07 AM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 24 new members to International Theological Commission
  17. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Leandro Machado Silvestre as bishop of Guajará-Mirim
  18. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 21 sources Pope Leo XIV leads General Audience on October 21, 2026, emphasizing marriage and family
  19. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 23 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Holiness in History conference
  20. Oct 22, 7:28 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas presented to Dutch and Flemish bishops
  21. Oct 22, 6:18 AM PT · 61 sources Pope Leo XIV speaks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
  22. Oct 22, 5:20 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV backs Synod on Synodality
  23. Oct 22, 4:30 AM PT · 3 sources COMECE bishops send message of prayer and support to Pope Leo XIV
  24. Oct 22, 4:01 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants of Congress on Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities
  25. Oct 22, 3:55 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV emphasizes protecting marriage at general audience

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