Pope Leon XIV to have lung surgery, and the Vatican won't say if it's cancer

Pope Leon XIV announced on Sunday, after the midday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, that he will undergo surgery in the coming days. Doctors have found a small growth on his lung and will remove it.

The Pope said this from a window of the Apostolic Palace. According to him, the growth was discovered at a very early stage and is confined to the lung.

“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a limited nodule in my lungs.” (translated)

He made the decision on the advice of doctors, who consider it advisable to act. He did not reveal details of the procedure.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni later explained that the surgery is planned for “the first days of next week”. Recovery is expected to take about a week. According to Delo, a Slovenian daily, the Pope will be operated on at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he is expected to stay for about a week.

The biggest question remained unanswered: the Vatican did not reveal whether the growth is benign or malignant. No further information about the Pope's health has been released for now.

Leon XIV is 71 years old. The cardinals elected him Pope in May 2025, and according to RTV SLO, the Slovenian public broadcaster, this is his first serious health concern since he took the helm of the Church. Until now, it was not known that he had any health problems. Delo adds that he pays a lot of attention to sport and fitness, and regularly plays tennis and swims at Castel Gandolfo.

Despite the surgery, the Pope confirmed that he will visit Peru. The visit to the South American country is planned for 6 to 17 November. Delo adds that the trip will also take him to Uruguay and Argentina, but it is unclear whether the surgery and recovery will affect the journey.

Another commitment also remains open. A reception for the President of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, was scheduled for 26 October. How the procedure will affect the Pope's other commitments is not yet known.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the first to respond. She expressed support for the Pope on her own behalf and on behalf of the government.

“The calm and serenity with which he spoke about it /.../ reassure us.” (translated)