Vatican: “Nodule in the lung”: Pope needs surgery

Rome. Pope Leo XIV has to undergo surgery. The head of the Catholic Church announced during his Sunday prayers at the Vatican that he had been diagnosed with a "lump in his lungs" that was in its early stages. Since May last year, the 71-year-old has been the first pontiff from the USA to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He actually has a trip to South America on his agenda next month.

During his Sunday Angelus prayer, Leo surprisingly addressed the faithful in St. Peter's Square with a personal message: "The doctors have discovered a nodule in my lung, which is in the early stages and is well localized," he said. "The doctors think an operation is appropriate. And so, on their advice, I decided to have an operation to have it removed. The operation is already planned for the next few days."

Further details about the church leader's health were not initially known. Leo - whose real name is Robert Francis Prevost - is one of the relatively young popes in the history of the Catholic Church. He did not give a date for the planned operation.

No health problems had been reported since his election as the successor to the seriously ill Pope Francis last year. On the contrary: Leo kept fit with tennis, swimming and regular exercises. According to press reports, there is also a gym in his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.

Next month, Leo actually has an almost two-week trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on the agenda. The former global head of the Augustinian Order worked as a missionary and bishop in Peru for many years. He also has Peruvian citizenship.