Cardinal David urges faithful to pray for Pope Leo's recovery

MANILA – Cardinal Pablo David on Wednesday asked the faithful to pray for Pope Leo XIV, who was diagnosed with lung cancer.

"Last Wednesday, he reached out to me with a hug. Today, I want to return that hug through prayer. And I invite you to do the same," David said in a social media post.

"Let us surround our Holy Father with the warmth of our prayers, that he may feel himself embraced by the whole Church, just as he has embraced so many of us with the love of a brother," he added.

The Filipino prelate, who is currently in the Vatican, said he is optimistic that the Pontiff will fully recover as millions are offering prayers for him to be well.

"His journey toward full recovery is only beginning... Get well soon, Holy Father. We are with you," David said.

In a separate social media post, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy also issued an appeal to Cebuanos for them to pray for the Pope.

"We continue to pray," he said.

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after a successful surgery to remove a lower lobe of his right lung. (PNA)