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Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule that doctors detected at an early stage.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development during his weekly Angelus address at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, explaining that recent medical examinations had identified the growth in a limited area of his lung.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” Leo said.
He explained that medical experts had recommended surgery and that he had agreed to proceed with the procedure based on their advice.
“The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it. The operation is already planned in the coming days,” he added.
Following the announcement, the Vatican press office said the pope was expected to undergo the operation within the next few days, with recovery anticipated to take approximately one week.
The procedure was scheduled to take place at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including Pope John Paul II.
It remained unclear whether the surgery and recovery period would affect Leo’s planned international visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the pontiff, saying the calmness with which he addressed the matter during the Angelus had reassured people.
She also conveyed her personal support and that of the Italian government as he prepared for the operation.
Leo, who was born in Chicago, became the first American pope following the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He was elected head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
Since assuming the papacy, the former Robert Francis Prevost has increasingly spoken out on major global issues, including armed conflicts and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Following the outbreak of war involving the United States, Israel and Iran in February, Leo emerged as a vocal critic of the conflict.
He described US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and called on Americans to urge their lawmakers to “work for peace”.
Trump subsequently criticised the pope, describing him as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy”.
In response, Leo maintained that he had a “moral duty to speak out” on issues affecting peace and human welfare.
