He announced it himself at the end of today’s Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. Leo XIV told the faithful that doctors had found a nodule in his lung and that he had decided to undergo surgery in the coming days.
«During some recent check-ups, doctors found a circumscribed nodule in my lung,» the Pontiff explained. The nodule, he added, was «detected at a very early stage and is well localized». Doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, hence the decision to have it surgically removed.
The operation is scheduled for the first days of next week at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. According to the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, the hospital stay following the surgery is expected to last about a week.
The Pope thanked those present in the square and all those following from around the world «for your spiritual closeness», and closed the announcement with a request: «I entrust myself to your prayers! Happy Sunday!».
The announcement, made in person rather than through an official statement, comes amid a period of intense activity for the pontificate. The Holy See has not released any further clinical details.
