Pope Leo heads to hospital Tuesday for lung nodule surgery

Updated on: October 12, 2026 / 8:00 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Pope Leo XIV is being admitted the hospital on Tuesday, days after he shared he would undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule discovered during recent medical tests, the Vatican announced.

The Holy See press office didn't say when the operation itself would take place, but said it will require a weeklong recovery in the hospital.

The U.S.-born pontiff revealed the discovery of the nodule during his Sunday noon prayer and said he was following doctors' advice to have it removed.

He said it was found in an early stage and was "circumscribed."

"The doctors believe it's best to take action, so, following their advice, I've decided to have surgery to remove it," Leo, 71, said Sunday. "Thank you for your spiritual support, and I entrust myself to your prayers."

He will be treated at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, which has a special apartment for the pope.

The Vatican press office said Monday that no particular issue precipitated the tests, denying Italian media reports suggesting an inflammation had prompted Leo to undergo the checkup.

The pope's surgery marks the first major health event of his 17-month pontificate. It was significant…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/