Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung
Por Reuters — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Pope Leo XIV World Europe Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung
The growth was ‘well-contained’ and detected at an early stage
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Reuters Published: 6:58pm, 11 Oct 2026 Updated: 7:13pm, 11 Oct 2026
Pope Leo said on Sunday that doctors had detected a small growth on his lung during a recent health check and he would be undergoing surgery this week to remove it, in the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff’s tenure.
Leo told pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Sunday prayer that the growth was “well-contained” and caught at an early stage.
“Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung,” said the pontiff. “It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained.”
“The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it,” he said. “The operation is already scheduled for the next few days.”
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