Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a lung nodule detected during recent medical examinations.
The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed this during his weekly Angelus address at St Peter’s Square on Sunday, saying the abnormality was identified at an early stage and was confined to a small area.
“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.
Leo explained that he had agreed to the procedure following medical 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,” the Pope added.
The Vatican press office said the pontiff was expected to require approximately one week to recover from the operation.
Leo became the first American to lead the Catholic Church following his election on May 8, 2025, after the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the Pope has gradually established his leadership style while addressing major global issues, including armed conflicts and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
He has also emerged as a vocal critic of the United States and Israel’s war against Iran, which began in February 2026.
The pontiff condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and urged Americans to call on their lawmakers to pursue peace.
Trump subsequently criticised Leo, describing him as “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.”
In response, the Pope maintained that speaking out on such issues was part of his responsibility, saying he had a “moral duty to speak out.”
