Pope Leo XIV has announced plans to undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule detected in his lung during recent medical examinations.

The 71-year-old pontiff made the disclosure on Sunday during his weekly Angelus address to worshippers at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican, saying the growth was discovered at an early stage and was well localised.

According to the pope, his doctors recommended surgical intervention, and the procedure has already been scheduled.

“The doctors believe that it is best to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation is already scheduled to take place in the coming days,” he said in a statement published on the Vatican’s official news website.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, said the operation was expected to take place early in the week, with the pope likely to spend approximately one week recovering afterwards.

A lung nodule, also called a pulmonary nodule, is a small mass of tissue in the lung that can be detected through imaging tests such as chest X-rays or computed tomography scans. Its significance depends on its characteristics and medical assessment.

Pope Leo expressed gratitude to worshippers for their prayers and support ahead of the operation.

The planned surgery comes as the pontiff prepares for a pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru scheduled for November 6 to 17. However, it remains uncertain whether the procedure and subsequent recovery will affect the trip.

Leo XIV was elected leader of the Catholic Church in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, making history as the first American to occupy the papacy.

Attention is now focused on the pope’s scheduled surgery and recovery, as uncertainty remains over whether he will be able to undertake his planned South American tour next month.