{
  "id": 13704827,
  "title": "Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery for small growth on lung",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-says-he-will-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-11T11:12:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/pope-leo-says-will-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pope Leo has announced that he will undergo surgery this week to remove a small growth detected on his lung during a recent health check, marking the first health concern for the 71-year-old pontiff. Addressing pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Leo stated that the growth was \"well-contained\" and identified at an early stage. He explained, \"Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well contained.\" The pontiff decided to undergo the surgery following the advice of medical professionals, with the procedure scheduled for the following days. Born in 1954, Leo is relatively young for a Church leader, and he enjoys engaging in sports such as tennis. He has not previously reported any health issues. Preceding Leo, Pope Francis, the late predecessor, passed away at the age of 88 and showed signs of increasing frailty in his later years. According to the Vatican press office, Leo's recovery from the surgery is anticipated to span approximately a week, though no additional details about his current health status were provided.",
  "summary": "Leo told pilgrims that the growth was \"well-contained\" and caught at an early stage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 14,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery in coming days after nodule discovered on his lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-in-coming-days-after-nodule-discovered-on",
        "published": "2026-10-11T10:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "🔴Pope Leo says will undergo surgery for early-stage lung nodule",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-says-will-undergo-surgery-for-early-stage-lung-nodule",
        "published": "2026-10-11T10:35:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV says he will undergo surgery to remove nodule in lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-xiv-says-he-will-undergo-surgery-to-remove-nodule-in-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T10:36:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Pope to undergo surgery to remove nodule on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-to-undergo-surgery-to-remove-nodule-on-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T10:40:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T10:58:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV to have surgery in 'coming days' to remove nodule in lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-xiv-to-have-surgery-in-coming-days-to-remove-nodule-in-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:02:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Pope Leo to have surgery after lump found on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-have-surgery-after-lump-found-on-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:06:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV announces surgery in coming days after lung nodule detected",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-xiv-announces-surgery-in-coming-days-after-lung-nodule",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:22:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung-13706316",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:28:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery after nodule discovered on his lung, he says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-after-nodule-discovered-on-his-lung-he",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:32:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove nodule on his lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-xiv-will-undergo-surgery-to-remove-nodule-on-his-lung",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:52:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung-13710911",
        "published": "2026-10-11T12:01:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Pope Leo to undergo surgery for small growth on lung",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pope-leo-to-undergo-surgery-for-small-growth-on-lung-13710949",
        "published": "2026-10-11T12:01:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}