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,”