Trending 
Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule discovered on his lung during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the finding during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, explaining that the growth had been detected at an early stage and was confined to a small area.
He said his doctors had recommended surgery and that he had agreed to proceed with the procedure following their advice.
“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 Vatican press office later confirmed that the operation was expected to take place within days, with recovery estimated to last about a week.
The surgery is scheduled for Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including John Paul II.
The Vatican has not said whether the procedure and recovery period will affect Leo’s planned international visits. The pontiff is scheduled to travel to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope, saying his composed manner during the Angelus address had offered reassurance. She also conveyed her personal solidarity and that of the Italian government as he prepares for the operation.
Chicago-born Leo became the first US pope last year following the death of his Argentine predecessor Francis on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88.
Leo was elected leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on May 8, 2025.
The former Robert Francis Prevost, while less ebullient than his predecessor, has gradually imprinted his style on the leadership of the Catholic Church, finding his voice as he takes on some of the world’s most pressing issues, from bloody conflicts to artificial intelligence.
After the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in February, the pope became a high-profile critic of the conflict.
He condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and urged Americans to demand that US lawmakers “work for peace”.
Trump subsequently criticised the pope, accusing him of being weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy. Leo responded that he had a moral responsibility to speak out on such matters.
