The Pope's announcement: "I have a nodule in my lung, I'm having surgery"

He made the announcement himself during the Angelus in St. Peter's Square: «The doctors found a nodule in my lung in its initial state and well localized. The doctors deemed it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it. The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days."

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni then provided further details: "The operation is scheduled for the first few days of next week and the expected post-operative hospitalization time is about a week." The Pope is expected to undergo surgery at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. The hospitalization could be on Tuesday. Aside from immediate appointments next week, his schedule remains unchanged.

The apostolic trip scheduled for 6 to 17 November would also be confirmed. Leone, who turned 61 last September 14, greeted the Peruvians in St. Peter's Square, in procession for the "Señor de los milagros", said: «Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru».

Messages of closeness have arrived at the Pope from government and political representatives. «I would like to express my personal closeness and that of the Italian government to the Holy Father for the test he is called to face in the coming days. The serenity and tranquility with which he spoke about it in today's Angelus hearten us. I am sure that the Italian people will also not lack their support and affection." Thus the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

«Matteo Salvini and the entire Lega family rally around the Holy Father with affection, close to him in the test he will have to face. Our most sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to him, accompanying him with thoughts and prayers in these delicate days" is the message that comes from the party of the deputy prime minister and minister of Infrastructure and Transport.