Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
World
James RJ Florentino

Is Pope Leo XIV Sick? Pontiff Announces Impending Surgery After Doctors Find a Lung Nodule

Pope Leo XIV will have surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital next week after doctors found an early, well-contained nodule on his lung (Credit: Wikimedia Commons; Photographed by Edgar Beltrán)

Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery in the coming days after doctors discovered a localised nodule in his lung. The 71-year-old pontiff announced the finding during the Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

The Vatican has confirmed that surgery is planned, but it has not disclosed whether the nodule is benign or malignant. The announcement has prompted questions about the Pope's health and whether the procedure could affect his planned November visit to South America.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.