Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery to remove a nodule on his lung

Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery to remove an early-stage nodule on his lung.

The Vatican said the procedure was planned for this week.

“Recently, during some medical tests, doctors discovered a localized nodule in my lung,” the American pontiff, 71, said during his noon prayer at St. Peter’s Square.

“It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized,” Leo said from the window of the Apostolic Palace. “The doctors believe it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed.”

The pontiff said that surgery had already been scheduled “for the coming days,” and thanked onlookers for their support.

“I entrust myself to your prayers,” he said.

The news drew applause from the thousands gathered in the square, before he wished the crowd a “happy Sunday.”

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that “the operation is scheduled for the first days of this week and the estimated post-operative recovery time will be about one week.”

Leo announced the surgery at the end of his regular address, in which he appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine and the safe transport of grain across the Black Sea.

“The daily bread of millions of people cannot be held hostage by war,” he said.

Leo has no previously known health problems and is known to be physically active, including weekly games of tennis.

The pontiff has a major trip scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November. It’s unclear whether the planned surgery and recovery would affect the itinerary.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Leo well.

“I would like to express to the Holy Father my personal support, and that of the Italian government, as he faces this challenge in the coming days,” she said in a statement.

“The serenity and composure with which he spoke about it (today) ...are reassuring,” Meloni added.

Born Robert Francis Prevost, he became the first American pope when he was appointed in 2025.

Originally from the South Side of Chicago, he spent much of his career ministering in Peru and leading the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops.

Leo’s father, Louis Prevost, served in the Navy during World War II and worked as a superintendent of schools in the south suburbs of Chicago. His mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, was a librarian with a master’s degree in education and two sisters who were nuns.

Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, died of a stroke last April at age 88 after a long hospitalization following a number of health issues.