Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday during the Angelus prayer that he is scheduled for surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule found in his lung, which was detected at a very early stage.
Leo XIV stated that this pulmonary nodule was identified during recent medical examinations, having been discovered at a very early stage and located in a favorable position.
According to a Vatican representative, the Pope is expected to undergo the operation in the first few days of the week beginning October 12, and his hospital stay is anticipated to last about a week, which is not expected to cause any changes in the governance of the Holy See.
The surgery is scheduled to take place at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, which traditionally treats popes following John Paul II.
The announcement came as a surprise to the Catholic community. Portugal saw numerous reactions to the news. The Portuguese Episcopal Conference expressed its support and prayers for the health of Pope Leo XIV. Cardinal Americo Aguiar highly praised the transparency, simplicity, and humanity with which Pope Leo XIV announced the upcoming operation, sending him words of friendship, solidarity, and prayer.
Leo XIV, elected pope by cardinals from around the world in May 2025, is a relatively young leader of the Church.