An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt for heating an image on a recording material in a nip; a pressing pad for pressing the belt from an inner surface thereof in the nip; a sheet-like member, provided to cover the pressing pad, for sliding movement relative to the belt; a lubricant absorbing member for suppressing swelling of the pressing pad by absorbing a lubricant applied on an inner surface of the belt, the lubricant absorbing member is covered by the sheet-like member.