Prayers are pouring in from around the world for Pope Leo, as he faces lung surgery this week:
The 71-year-old pope disclosed during his Oct. 11 Angelus address that doctors had found a “localized nodule” in his lung.
He said the nodule was “detected at a very early stage” during “some recent medical examinations.”
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said the operation will take place this coming week at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
The “estimated post-recovery time will be about one week,” said Bruni.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, swiftly promised prayers for the U.S.-born Pope Leo.
“The bishops of the United States join with the faithful and all people of good will in praying for his good health,” Archbishop Coakley said in a statement provided to OSV News. “May the hand of Pope Leo’s surgeons be guided by the divine physician Jesus Christ.”
The archbishop added, “Please find a moment today, as I will, to offer a prayer for Pope Leo and his care team.”
In an Oct. 11 statement provided to OSV News, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said it united “with the faithful in prayer” for Pope Leo’s health…
…“We believe strongly in the power of prayerful petitions,” Father Joseph Farrell, prior general of the Augustinian Order of which Pope Leo is a member, told OSV News by email.
He added, “The Augustinian brothers and sisters across the globe are praying for our brother Pope Leo XIV. We are praying also for the doctors and entire medical staff who will be assisting him in surgery in the coming days.”
The Augustinian Order issued an Oct. 11 message of support saying, “As Augustinians, we pray together for the health of Pope Leo XIV.”
“May God bless the Holy Father and his doctors during his upcoming surgery for a nodule found in his lung during a recent exam,” said the order in its message, which was provided in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Last year, this prayer appeared in my book on the new pope.
I pray it again this day, with a heart full of faith and hope, entrusting Leo to the care of the Father who loves him.
Heavenly Father,
Look with love upon your servant Leo,
as he undertakes the great and humbling work of leading your Church.
Hear our prayers at this moment:
Protect him, uplift him, strengthen him;
continue to inflame his heart with love for your Word,
and compassion for your children.
May he know your friendship
when he is most in need,
and never doubt that you are near
as he walks his pilgrim journey
on a mission to serve and to lead, to listen and to preach,
moved by an unwavering love for you and your Son.
Our broken world cries out:
in a time of war, help him be a voice for peace;
in a time of division, help him be a force for unity;
in an age of despair, help fill our hearts with hope.
Grant him the grace to lead always with love,
so that through him we may draw ever closer to You.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever.
Amen.
