Pope Leo XIV made an unexpected statement during the Sunday Angelus from St. Peter's Square, informing the faithful that he will have surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Pontiff added that the lesion was detected early on and is well-localized, allowing for a fast and targeted medical response. The Pope will be admitted to Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, the traditional hospital of choice for papal care. According to Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni, the post-operative hospital stay is likely to last about a week. The Vatican's itinerary for the next few days has been reduced to allow for the treatment and initial recovery, but the Holy Father has confirmed his decision to continue his medium-term obligations, including his apostolic visit to Peru, which is set to begin on November 7. From the window of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father expressed great gratitude for the words of affection received from all over the world: "I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I entrust myself to your prayers". The statement prompted an immediate demonstration of solidarity from the international Catholic community and world leaders. The decision to disclose the diagnosis in full transparency is indicative of an open communication style that is intended to reassure the faithful about the management of their health and the preservation of a strong connection with the universal Church during this period of personal difficulty.