Pope Leo to undergo surgery after discovery of lung nodule

In short:

Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule.

The 71-year-old pontiff, who is relatively young for a church leader, did not say whether the lesion was malignant during his Sunday address to the faithful.

What's next?

The Catholic leader is due to make an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6-17.

Pope Leo has announced that doctors have detected a small growth on his lung and that he will be undergoing surgery this week to remove it, in the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff's tenure.

Leo told pilgrims in St Peter's Square during his weekly Sunday prayer that the growth was "well-contained" and had been spotted early.

The Vatican did not say whether the nodule is believed to be malignant.

"Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung," the pope said. 

"The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to remove it. 

"The operation is already scheduled for the next few days."

A nodule on the lung is a small, localised lesion that can be benign. 

The American Thoracic Society says fewer than 5 per cent of lung nodules overall prove cancerous, although risk rises with age, size and other factors such as smoking.

The Vatican press office said Leo's recovery from surgery was expected to take about a week. It did not immediately provide further details about the pope's health.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished the pope well.

"I would like to express to the Holy Father my personal support, and that of the Italian government, as he faces this challenge in the coming days," she said in a statement.

"The serenity and composure with which he spoke about it during today’s Angelus are reassuring," Ms Meloni added.

Leo is due to make an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6-17.

Before mentioning his health issue in his address on Sunday, the pope referred to the trip, thanking Catholics for their prayers "for the pastoral visit I will undertake".

Leo, elected pope by the world's cardinals in May 2025, is relatively young for a Church leader. He is not known to be a smoker or to previously have had health issues.