Pope Leo XIV to undergo lung surgery in Rome on Tuesday

Pope Leo XIV will be admitted to a hospital in Rome on Tuesday for surgery to remove a lung nodule found during a routine medical checkup, the Vatican said on Monday.

The Vatican said the nodule was not associated with symptoms such as inflammation or infection. The American-born pontiff announced during his Sunday Angelus address that he would undergo the procedure in the coming days.

Holy See spokesman Matteo Bruni said Leo was following his schedule as planned on Monday, ahead of the operation.

The surgery is set to take place at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, which has treated popes from St. John Paul II, whose pontificate lasted from 1978 to 2005, onward. The Vatican said Leo is expected to need about a week to recover.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed support for the pope after his announcement on Sunday.

Mattarella said in a statement that Italians were united in wishing Leo a peaceful recovery and a swift return to health.

Meloni offered her personal support and that of the Italian government in a post on “X”, saying she was confident Italians would show their affection and solidarity.