Photo: Andrew Medichini ~ AP
PODCAST
October 13, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Jamie Edmonds talk with Dr. Thomas Watson, chief of thoracic surgery, about Pope Leo’s lung nodule surgery and recent medical news.
VATICAN CITY ~ Pope Leo’s upcoming lung surgery has prompted an outpouring of prayers from Catholics around the world as the 71-year-old pontiff prepares to undergo a procedure Tuesday at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic to remove a localized lung nodule. By publicly sharing details about his condition and treatment plans, the pope has offered an unusually transparent look at a health challenge many people facing serious medical concerns can relate to.
Doctors say lung nodules are relatively common and are often discovered during routine scans, though some require surgery when there are concerns about possible cancer or other complications. While the Vatican has not released extensive medical details, specialists note that minimally invasive lung procedures are frequently performed on otherwise healthy older adults, offering hope for a successful recovery as Pope Leo is expected to be hospitalized for about a week following the operation.
