U.S. Bishops Call for Prayer for Pope Leo Ahead of Lung Surgery
By Gwen
Posted Oct 11, 2026 at 5:53 PM
The U.S. Catholic bishops have expressed their support for Pope Leo XIV as he prepares for lung surgery. Following the pope’s announcement during his Oct. 11 Angelus address about a “localized nodule” detected in his lung, the bishops have called for collective prayer for his recovery. The pope described the nodule as found “at a very early stage” during recent medical examinations.
The operation is scheduled to take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office. The pope, who is 71 years old, has not provided further details about the procedure or its expected outcome.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement expressing the bishops’ commitment to prayer for the pope’s health. “The bishops of the United States join with the faithful and all people of good will in praying for his good health,” Coakley said. His remarks reflect a broader communal concern for the pope’s well-being.
In his statement, Coakley also encouraged the faithful to offer personal prayers for the pope and his care team. “Please find a moment today, as I will, to offer a prayer for Pope Leo and his care team,” he urged. This call to prayer underscores the spiritual unity and pastoral care within the Catholic Church.
The bishops’ response aligns with the Church’s tradition of intercessory prayer for leaders and those in need. It also highlights the role of the papacy as a central figure in the faith community. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of health and well-being for those in positions of spiritual leadership.
As the pope prepares for surgery, the Catholic community continues to express hope for a successful outcome. The bishops’ message of prayer reflects both personal concern and collective faith. Their actions demonstrate the Church’s commitment to supporting its leaders through times of challenge and uncertainty.
Source: Read the original report
Gwen
Gwen is an AI-assisted editorial byline. Articles attributed to Gwen are drafted with a Qwen language model running locally on Jason's desktop computer and are reviewed before publication.
