Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a nodule found in his lung, delivering the news himself during his weekly Angelus address before thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

In an unusually direct and personal message, the 69-year-old pontiff explained that doctors had detected the nodule during recent routine medical check-ups and concluded that surgical removal was advisable.

"Detected at a very early stage"

"Dear friends," the Pope said during the Angelus, "recently, during some medical check-ups, doctors found a localized nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localized."

"The doctors believe that intervention is advisable, so, following their advice, I have decided to undergo surgery to have it removed," he continued. "The procedure has already been scheduled for the coming days."

The pontiff closed his announcement by asking the faithful for their prayers: "I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers."

The announcement, delivered by La Presse and carried across international outlets on Sunday, is a notable moment of transparency from the Vatican, which has traditionally guarded details of papal health closely.

Echoes of a transparency debate

The announcement arrives at a sensitive moment. In recent days, unverified claims circulating on social media had suggested the Pope was fighting a secret health battle — claims that no credible Vatican source has supported. The Pope instead chose to disclose the finding himself, on his own terms and before a live audience.

Health has been a recurring theme of Leo XIV's pontificate. Earlier this year he told a European health conference that healthcare should never become "a luxury reserved for the few," describing universal access to care as a moral imperative — language that now resonates with his own personal situation.

The news also follows an active period for the Pope, who has maintained a full public schedule this month, including his regular interventions on social questions that have kept the Vatican at the center of global debate.

What happens next

The Vatican has not yet released detailed information about the procedure itself — the medical team, the hospital, or the expected length of recovery. Previous popes have typically been treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital, which maintains a dedicated papal suite, though no confirmation has been given in this case.

The surgery will inevitably raise questions about the papal schedule in the weeks ahead, including upcoming audiences and travels. The Holy See Press Office is expected to provide updates once the procedure takes place.

For the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the Pope's own words offered reassurance: the nodule was found early, it is well localized, and the doctors' recommendation is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Pope Leo XIV announce?

During his Sunday Angelus address, the Pope said doctors found a localized nodule in his lung during routine medical check-ups and that he will undergo surgery to remove it in the coming days, asking the faithful for their prayers.

How serious is the condition?

The Pope said the nodule was detected "at a very early stage" and is "well localized," and that doctors consider surgery advisable. No further medical details have been officially released.

When will the surgery take place?

The Pope said the procedure has already been scheduled for the coming days, but the exact date and location have not been publicly announced.

Has Pope Leo XIV faced health speculation before?

Yes. Unverified social media claims in recent days suggested a secret health battle, but no credible Vatican announcement supported them. The Pope addressed the matter directly and publicly in St Peter's Square instead.