VATICAN CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL LUNG SURGERY FOR POPE LEO XIV

VATICAN CITY | OCTOBER 13, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has successfully undergone surgery to remove a small nodule from his lung, with the Vatican confirming Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff is recovering at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli University Hospital.

In an official statement, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that the operation proceeded as expected and that the Pope had returned to his hospital room following the procedure.

“The surgery was completed successfully, within the expected timeframe and as planned, and the Holy Father has returned to his room. Further information will follow,” the Vatican stated.

The procedure was performed by a medical team led by Professor Stefano Margaritora, the hospital’s chief thoracic surgeon. Pope Leo was admitted earlier Tuesday after doctors recommended removing a localized lung nodule discovered during recent medical examinations.

The pontiff publicly disclosed the medical finding during his Sunday Angelus address on October 11, telling worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the nodule had been detected at an early stage.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” Pope Leo said, explaining that he had accepted his doctors’ recommendation to undergo surgery.

The Vatican has indicated that the Pope is expected to remain hospitalized for approximately one week while recovering. His scheduled public audiences and engagements have been cancelled through October 20.

The surgery represents the first major publicly disclosed health issue of Pope Leo’s papacy since his election in May 2025. The Vatican’s initial announcement confirmed the successful operation but did not provide detailed findings concerning the nature of the removed nodule.

Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, is also scheduled to undertake a pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November. No official cancellation of the planned trip had been announced in the Vatican’s initial postoperative statement.

Further medical updates are expected as the Pope continues his recovery.