Pope Leo said on Sunday (October 11) 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 localized 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."

Leo, elected pope by the world's cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader. He enjoys sports, including tennis, and is not known to previously have had health issues.

The late Pope Francis, Leo's predecessor, died at age 88 and was increasingly frail in his later years.

The Vatican press office said Leo's recovery from surgery was expected to take about a week. It did not immediately provide further details about the pope's health.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (OCTOBER 11, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING AT WINDOW OF APOSTOLIC PALACE, POPE LEO WAVING

2. PEOPLE IN ST. PETER’S SQUARE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

“Dearest, recently during some medical examinations, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. 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. The operation is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual support and entrust myself to your prayers. Thank you and have a good Sunday".

4. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

5. BELLS RINGING