Some heavy news from the Vatican this week.

Last Sunday, Pope Leo XIV told the crowd in St. Peter’s Square that doctors had found a small nodule in his lung during a regular checkup. He said it was caught at a very early stage, and that he’d follow his doctors’ advice and have it removed.

He had the surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where popes usually get treated. After that, the Vatican confirmed it was lung cancer. Most lung nodules turn out to be harmless, so this one surprised a lot of people. Recovery is expected to take about a week.

This is the first big health scare for Leo, who became the first American-born pope in May 2025. At 71, he’s pretty young for a pope, and he’s known for staying active and playing sports.

He still plans to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, but fans are definitely worried.

Here’s hoping for a quick and full recovery. Stay strong, Pope Leo!