Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule detected at an early stage.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed this during his weekly Angelus address at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday, saying doctors had recommended the procedure following recent medical examinations.
“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” he said.
“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,” the pope added.
Following his announcement, the Vatican press office said the surgery was expected to take place within the next few days, with an estimated recovery period of about one week.
The operation is scheduled to be performed at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including Pope John Paul II.
The Vatican has not disclosed whether the procedure and recovery period would affect the pontiff’s planned international engagements. Leo is expected to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru between November 6 and 17.
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope, saying the “calmness with which he spoke during today’s Angelus reassures us”.
She also conveyed her personal support and that of the Italian government as he prepares for the procedure.
Born in Chicago, Leo 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 leader of the world’s estimated 1.4 billion Catholics on May 8, 2025.
Formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, Leo has gradually established his leadership style since assuming the papacy, addressing issues ranging from international conflicts to the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
He has also emerged as a prominent critic of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began in February 2026.
Leo condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and called on Americans to urge their lawmakers to work towards peace.
Trump subsequently criticised the pontiff, describing him as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy”. Leo responded by saying he had a “moral duty to speak out”.