What we know about Pope Leo XIV's planned lung operation this week

Pope Leo XIV has said he will undergo an operation to remove a lump on his lung this week, marking an unusual personal medical announcement by a pontiff. The 71-year-old is expected to recover in about a week, potentially allowing him to begin an 11-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on November 6. Pope Leo XIV has said he will have an operation to remove a lump on his lung this week, the first time a pope has made a personal medical announcement of this kind. The 71-year-old is otherwise healthy and is known for his love of sport. Here is what we know: When will the operation be? The pope said the operation was planned "in the coming days" and the Vatican press office said it would be at the beginning of the week, without giving a date. Italian media have speculated that the operation could be on Tuesday, although the pope is due to preside over a Mass in St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning with Church leaders from around the world and there have so far been no announced changes in his schedule. The Vatican press office has said doctors expect the pope's recovery to take around a week. That would make it possible for him to leave for his visit to Latin America as planne...