Pope Leo says he will undergo surgery

Pope Leo said on Sunday that doctors had detected a small growth on his lung ‌during a recent health check and he would be undergoing surgery this week to remove it, in the first health scare of the 71-year-old pontiff's tenure, Reuters reported.

Leo told pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for his weekly Sunday prayer that the growth, a small nodule, was "well-contained" and had been spotted ​early.

The Vatican did not say whether the nodule is believed to be malignant.

"Recently, during some medical examinations, doctors ​found a localized nodule in my lung," said the pontiff. "It was detected at a very early ⁠stage and is well contained."

"The doctors believe it is advisable to intervene, so, following their advice, I have decided to ​undergo surgery to remove it," he said. "The operation is already scheduled for the next few days."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished the pope well.

"I would like to express to the Holy ​Father my personal support, and ​that of the Italian government, ⁠as he faces this challenge in the coming days," she said in a statement.