PH prelates urge prayers for Pope Leo XIV ahead of lung surgery

MANILA – Filipino bishops on Monday appealed to the faithful to pray for Pope Leo XIV, who is set to undergo lung surgery this week.

In an Appeal for Prayers, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked the people to unite in prayer for the Holy Father as he prepares for the scheduled operation.

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, I appeal to our Filipino Catholic faithful to unite in prayer for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as he prepares to undergo lung surgery,” said CBCP president Bishop Gilbert Garcera.

He also urged his fellow prelates to offer Holy Mass for the Pope’s successful operation and swift recovery.

“I ask my brother bishops and our priests to offer Holy Mass for his successful operation and speedy and complete recovery. I likewise invite our religious communities, families, and all the faithful to offer the Holy Rosary, their daily sacrifices, and acts of charity for his healing,” said the Lipa archbishop.

“Let us pray that the Lord may guide his surgeons and all who care for him, sustain him with strength and peace, and restore him to health as he continues to shepherd the universal Church,” he added.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David also sought prayers from Filipino Catholics for the pontiff.

“I invite all our parish communities, religious congregations, and families, especially in the Diocese of Kalookan, to remember our Holy Father in their prayers and Eucharistic celebrations,” he said in a social media post.

“May the Lord guide the hands of his surgeons, grant him a successful operation and a speedy recovery, and sustain him with the strength, peace, and consolation of the Holy Spirit,” the Caloocan prelate added.

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV said doctors discovered a localized nodule in his lung. Fortunately, it was detected at a very early stage and is well localized.

Following medical advice, the Holy Father has decided to undergo surgery to remove it. The operation will take place at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome.

-PNA/Ferdinand Patinio