Vatican News / Devin Watkins
On Sunday, October 11, the Holy Father announced that, on the advice of his doctors, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove a “small, localized lung nodule” discovered at a “very early stage.”
Shortly thereafter, assurances of prayer for his health began to pour in from around the world.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published a statement on the X platform by its president, Archbishop Paul Coakley. “The bishops of the United States join with the faithful and all people of good will in praying for his health,” the archbishop wrote. “May the hands of the surgeons operating on Pope Leo be guided by the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ. Please take a moment today, as I will, to pray for Pope Leo and the medical team that will care for him.”
Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, Texas, encouraged the faithful to pray for the Holy Father and his medical team during Sunday Mass.
Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, expressed the solidarity of the Church in Malta with the Pope. “The Church in Malta unites in prayer for the Holy Father, wishing him a successful surgery,” he wrote on the X platform.
In Uruguay, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, called for prayers for the Pope’s speedy recovery ahead of his scheduled apostolic journey to the country in November. “Let us pray for his swift recovery and continue preparing for his visit to our country with renewed enthusiasm,” he said.
The Bishops’ Conference of Uruguay announced that the Pope’s planned visit remains unchanged. Preparations “continue with the hope of welcoming him to Uruguay and sharing a great joy together.”
The Catholic bishops of Peru issued a statement expressing their appreciation for the “courage and humility” with which Pope Leo announced his upcoming surgery. “The bishops of Peru encourage all Catholics and people of good will to unite in prayer for the health of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Let us lift up our petitions to God, the Lord of life and the source of all health, that He may strengthen him and grant him the health necessary to fulfill his mission,” they wrote.
In Argentina, the Bishops’ Conference encouraged the faithful to be in spiritual communion with the Holy Father and to accompany him with “affection, closeness, and prayer, entrusting him in a special way to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary.” “We ask the Lord to grant him strength and peace during this time, that the surgery may go well, and that he may quickly and fully recover,” the Argentine bishops prayed in their statement.
In Italy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, assured the Pope of the prayers of the entire country. “We thank Pope Leo for the simplicity and trust with which he has allowed us to share in this time of trial,” the cardinal said. “We are one family. Holy Father, you are not alone!”.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella sent a message to the Pope expressing his “deep concern.” “In addition to the prayers of the Catholic faithful,” the Italian president said, “the Pope will be able to count on the affectionate remembrance of countless people in Italy and around the world, both believers and non-believers.”
