71-year-old Pope Leo attends six meetings at the Vatican in one day. Then he reveals he’s going into surgery the next morning
Quick surgery break.
It’s a busy time at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV is heading into surgery this week to remove a lung nodule, but he didn’t let that stop him from maintaining a packed schedule right up until his admission. The 71-year-old American pontiff kept up with his duties on Monday, October 12, 2026, presiding over six private audiences and one group audience. It speaks to his dedication, considering the procedure was expected to be carried out on Tuesday morning at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
The Vatican confirmed that the pope was to be admitted late Tuesday morning. While there wasn’t an immediate confirmation on whether the operation would take place the same day or the following morning, the news has certainly shifted the focus at the Vatican. According to NBC News, the surgery is a significant event, marking the first major health procedure publicly disclosed during his 17-month pontificate.
Pope Leo revealed the discovery of the nodule himself during his Sunday noon prayer in St. Peter’s Square. He told the crowd that he was following medical advice to remove the nodule, describing it as “well-contained” and detected “at a very early stage.”
Pope Leo’s transparency about his health is a refreshing change of pace
Historically, the Vatican has often been very private about the health of the pope, sometimes leaving the public with little information or confusing details. While Pope Francis did make strides in being more open about his own struggles, Leo’s direct approach is notable.
According to the Associated Press, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, who is based in Quebec, commended the pope’s candidness. He noted, “I really appreciated yesterday at the end of the Angelus, he himself said, ‘This is what’s going on – very transparent – and ask for prayers.’”
That sentiment seems to be shared by others, including Tokyo Cardinal Kikuchi Tsutomu. The cardinal, who met with the pope on Monday, said Leo told him he felt fine. According to Kikuchi, the pope decided to have the surgery now specifically so he wouldn’t have to change his upcoming travel plans to Latin America.
The medical details are fairly straightforward
Lung nodules are small, abnormal areas typically less than 1.2 inches in size, often spotted during routine scans. While they can be benign or malignant, doctors usually recommend surgical removal to figure out exactly what they entail and to treat them while still localized.
Dr. Lorenzo Spaggiari, who is the director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, believes the outlook is positive. He mentioned that if the nodule is caught early, the prognosis is often excellent. He also pointed out that the pope is in very capable hands at Gemelli Hospital.
Interestingly, the pope won’t be staying in the traditional papal apartment during his recovery. That space is currently undergoing renovations, so he will be in a nearby room instead. The surgery itself is expected to require a weeklong stay in the hospital.
Because of this, the Vatican has had to clear his calendar through October 20. This includes canceling several public appearances, such as a mass in St. Peter’s Square and an address to an infertility conference, OSV News reports.
The Vatican family summit has been impacted by the surgery
Father Giacomo Costa, a consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod, spoke about how the surgery has affected the schedule for the Vatican family summit. He explained, “As you can imagine, the Holy Father truly wished to listen and then share his own reflection on what he heard, but that has proven difficult.” The pope has requested that the final report for the meeting be postponed so that he can review it himself once he is back on his feet.
Even with the surgery looming, the pope’s team is looking toward the future. The schedule for his upcoming trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remains unchanged. That journey, which is planned for November 6 through November 17, is the longest international trip of his pontificate. It’s an ambitious itinerary that covers over 31,000 kilometers.
As long as his recovery goes according to plan, he should have enough time to get back to his duties. It’s a lot to take on, but Pope Leo seems determined to keep his schedule intact.
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