Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday, October 11, that he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule. The procedure is scheduled for the week following the announcement. In response, bishops across the globe have called upon the faithful to offer prayers for the pontiff’s health and successful recovery.

Medical professionals identified the nodule on one of the pope’s lungs and recommended its removal. Pope Leo XIV asked the faithful to accompany him spiritually during this time. “I entrust myself to your prayer,” he stated in his announcement.

U.S. Bishops Join Global Prayer

In the United States, Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, affirmed that prelates would pray for the pope’s good health. He offered a specific intention for the medical team.

“May the hand of Pope Leo’s surgeons be guided by the divine physician, Jesus Christ,” Archbishop Coakley said.

Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York also joined the global call for prayer. His statement came shortly after he completed a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

International Responses

Catholic leaders worldwide have echoed the sentiment, linking their prayers to upcoming papal visits or local devotions. In Uruguay, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, archbishop of Montevideo, urged prayer as the country prepares for the pope’s arrival later this year.

In Peru, the Archdiocese of Lima entrusted the pope’s health to the Lord of Miracles devotion, a tradition involving millions of Peruvians annually. The Peruvian bishops’ conference issued a message titled “United in prayer for the health of the Holy Father Leo XIV.”

Argentinian bishops asked the Lord to grant the pope strength and peace for a swift recovery. Meanwhile, Archbishop Luis Argüello, president of the Spanish bishops’ conference, invited the entire Spanish Church to pray for the pontiff. Bishop Francisco César García Magán, secretary general of the Spanish bishops’ conference, noted that the faithful can show closeness through prayer.

Prayers from Europe and Beyond

In Poland, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, president of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, appealed to the Polish people to pray for a successful operation. In Scotland, Bishop John Keenan invited Catholics and people of goodwill to pray for Pope Leo and his medical team.

Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster assured the pope of prayers from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. In Malta, Archbishop Charles Scicluna stated that the Church in Malta is united in prayer for the surgery.

The announcement follows a period of public appearances by Pope Leo XIV, including praying a rosary for peace with children in the Vatican Gardens on October 1. The pope’s request for spiritual accompaniment has mobilized dioceses and conferences worldwide to focus their intentions on his well-being during the upcoming medical procedure.