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Pope Leo XIV Announces Surgery for Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV revealed plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule, detected during a recent health check.

11 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Pope Leo XIV Announces Surgery for Lung Nodule — Archive photoPhoto: Unknown author Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule from his lung. The pontiff, age 71, made this announcement during his weekly Angelus prayer, stating that the nodule was detected at an early stage during a recent health examination.

According to reports, the nodule is well-localized and resides in an early developmental stage. Medical authorities have advised the Pope on the necessity of the surgical procedure, which is scheduled to take place shortly.

The Pope emphasized the importance of the operation and described the situation as manageable, with doctors deeming an intervention appropriate. Details regarding the exact date of the surgery have not been disclosed, but it is expected to occur soon.

In conjunction with the surgery announcement, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV intends to continue with his scheduled activities following recovery. As part of these commitments, he is expected to travel to Peru in early November, highlighting his plans despite this recent health concern.

Various news outlets have reported on this development, noting that this remains the first significant health scare since Pope Leo XIV assumed his role in May 2022. Reactions to his surgery announcement have emerged from both faithful and secular observers, who express concern over the Pope's health.

Further updates regarding the Pope's condition and the surgical details are anticipated as the operation approaches. The Vatican has yet to share additional information about the recovery process and any changes to the Pope's public engagements during this period.

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