Pope Leo (71) announced on Sunday that doctors will remove a nodule from his lung after finding it during routine medical checks.

The pontiff told thousands gathered at St Peter’s Square that doctors detected the lump at a very early stage and recommended surgery.

“During recent medical checks, a nodule on my lung was found. It has been detected at a very early stage and is very localised,” Leo said during his weekly address.

“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.”

Surgery details and recovery

The Vatican press office confirmed the pope will have surgery within days at Gemelli hospital in Rome, where doctors have treated several popes since John Paul II.

Officials expect Leo to recover within one week of the operation.

The Vatican has not said whether the surgery will affect the pope’s planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17.

Peru faithful hope for quick recovery

People in Chiclayo, Peru, where Leo plans to visit, expressed concern and hope for his swift recovery.

“A lung nodule is no small matter. Let’s hope God grants him the ability to travel by air and that he gets better soon,” Olga Pol (62) said.

“The people of Peru are eagerly awaiting him.”

Diana Celi, a retired journalist, said Peru has spent months preparing for the papal visit.

“I’m certain that all of Peru is praying for the pope and that he’ll pull through. God willing, we will have him here, because these preparations have been going on for several months, not just on a practical level, but also on a spiritual one.”

International reaction

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the pope’s calm demeanour during the announcement offered reassurance.

She expressed her personal support and that of the Italian government as Leo faces the surgery.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X that he wished Leo a successful surgery and swift recovery.

Archbishop Daniel Sturla of Montevideo asked the faithful to pray for the pope’s speedy recovery and to continue preparing for his Uruguay visit with greater enthusiasm.

Argentina’s bishops’ conference urged Catholics to pray for Leo ahead of the surgery, asking that it go well with a swift and full recovery.

First American pope

Chicago-born Leo became the first US pope in May 2025 after the death of his Argentine predecessor Francis on April 21, 2025. Francis was 88.

The former Robert Francis Prevost won election as leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on May 8, 2025.

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While less outgoing than Francis, Leo has found his voice on pressing global issues, from armed conflicts to artificial intelligence.

After the US and Israel launched a war against Iran in February, the pope became a vocal critic of the conflict.

He condemned US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as truly unacceptable and urged Americans to demand their lawmakers work for peace.

Trump hit back, calling the pontiff weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

Leo replied that he had a moral duty to speak out.

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