The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the development on Sunday, October 11, while addressing worshippers gathered at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican for his weekly Angelus prayer.

According to the Pope, doctors discovered a localised lung nodule at a very early stage and recommended that it be surgically removed. He said he had accepted their advice and that the operation had already been scheduled.

“During some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung,” the pontiff said, adding that the growth had been detected early.

He thanked the faithful for their support and asked them to remember him in their prayers as he prepared for the procedure.

The operation is expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, a medical facility that has treated several popes, including the late Pope Francis. Reports indicate that the pontiff could require approximately one week to recover, although further details about his treatment have not been publicly disclosed.

The announcement represents a significant health development in Pope Leo’s papacy, which began in May 2025 following his election as head of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican has not announced whether the lung nodule is benign or malignant, and no cancer diagnosis has been made public. A lung nodule is an area of abnormal tissue that can have several causes, including non-cancerous conditions. Its significance depends on clinical findings and, where necessary, further examination.

Consequently, the decision to remove the growth should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is cancerous. The nature of the nodule and whether additional treatment will be needed remain unknown pending further medical information.

The planned operation has also drawn attention to the Pope’s upcoming pastoral visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for November 6 to 17.

The Vatican has published an itinerary for the 11-day journey, which will include religious services, meetings with political leaders and engagements with Catholic communities across the three South American countries. As of the latest available information, no official announcement has confirmed a change to the visit because of the planned surgery.

Pope Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, United States, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 8, 2025.

Since assuming the papacy, he has maintained a programme of religious services, meetings and public engagements. His latest announcement has prompted messages of support from political leaders and members of the Catholic community.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the pontiff ahead of the operation, offering her good wishes and support during his recovery.

The development has also renewed public interest in the health of the Catholic Church’s leader. Pope Francis experienced several serious medical complications before his death in April 2025, but there is no basis for assuming that Pope Leo’s condition will follow the same course.

For now, the key details made public are that doctors identified a localised lung nodule during recent medical examinations, recommended surgery and received the Pope’s agreement to proceed.

The Vatican has not provided further details about the nodule’s size, precise location or underlying cause. The results of the operation and any subsequent medical assessment are expected to provide more information about the pontiff’s condition.

As he prepares for surgery, Pope Leo has thanked the faithful for their spiritual support and entrusted himself to their prayers.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia