Bishops pray for Pope Leo XIV's health

Catholic leaders and dioceses worldwide are calling for prayers for Pope Leo XIV following his surgery to remove a lung nodule in Rome. The Holy See reported the Pope was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, October 13, for the procedure.

In Spain, Bishop Juan Carlos Elizalde of the Diocese of Vitoria scheduled a special Eucharist for October 15 at the Vitoria Seminary Public Chapel to support the Pope's recovery. Bishop Alfonso Carrasco of the Diocese of Lugo also invited parishioners and priests to pray for the Pope, noting that the Pontiff had personally requested prayers during the Angelus on Sunday, October 11. In Toledo, Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves asked priests, deacons, and religious communities to intensify their prayers for the Pope's strength and successful convalescence.

International leaders have also responded to the news. Archbishop Ronald Hicks of the Archdiocese of New York joined the prayers while completing a pilgrimage in Spain, asking for guidance for the Pope's medical team. In Uruguay, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, called for prayers for a quick recovery as his country prepares for a future visit from the Pope. Additionally, Bishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, expressed that American prelates would join the faithful in praying for the Pope and his surgeons.