Pope Leo XIV is preparing to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule detected at an early stage, prompting messages of support from religious leaders, political figures and Catholics around the world.
The 71-year-old pontiff announced the planned procedure during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, saying doctors had advised him to undergo surgery in the coming days.
The Vatican said the operation was expected to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, with recovery anticipated to take approximately one week.
The announcement has raised questions about whether the procedure could affect the pope’s upcoming visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for 6 to 17 November.
In Peru, where preparations for his arrival have been under way for months, members of the Catholic community expressed hope for his swift recovery and said they were praying for his health.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the pope’s calm manner during his address was reassuring, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wished him a successful operation and a full recovery.
Church leaders in Uruguay and Argentina have also called on the faithful to pray for the pontiff ahead of the procedure.
Leo, who became the first US-born pope in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, has increasingly made his voice heard on international issues, including conflicts and the use of artificial intelligence.
His recent criticism of the US-Israeli war against Iran has also placed him at the centre of international political debate.
For now, attention is focused on the pope’s health, his recovery and whether he will be able to proceed with his planned South American visit as scheduled.