Pope Leo XIV to prepare surgery to remove nodule

Pope Leo XIV is planning to be admitted to the hospital today in preparation for a surgery to remove a lung nodule.

Leo has offered a rare level of transparency about the first publicly disclosed major health problem of his 17-month papacy.

At the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, local archdiocese priest led the faithful in prayer for the American pontiff, praying that the Lord grant strength to him and his physicians.

The Vatican says the Pope will stay at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome today to prepare for the operation.

The nodule was discovered during regular checks and is said to be a small, early-stage and localised. Experts say the nodule could be benign or malignant and that prompt evaluation is important. His hospital stay is expected to last about a week.

A priest noted that Mass will be held at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, during which special prayers will be offered for the Pope's health.