Pope Leo XIV sent a written message to attendees of a Vatican conference on October 14, asking for prayers as he recovers from lung cancer surgery in Rome. The pontiff addressed the note to clergy members and lay Catholics participating in the gathering.

Conference Marks Decade Since Amoris Laetitia

The event, titled “10 Years After Amoris Laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel with Families Today,” examined the legacy of the apostolic exhortation. Participants focused on strengthening family participation in the Church’s mission. In his message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged those present to share insights from the meeting with their respective bishops’ conferences and dioceses.

“As you know, I have been unable to be among you during these days,” the Pope wrote in the statement read at the conference’s conclusion.

Cardinal Tagle Leads Closing Mass

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrated the closing Mass for the conference in St. Peter’s Square on October 14, 2026. He stood in for Pope Leo XIV, who was unable to preside due to his medical recovery.

The homily delivered by Cardinal Tagle was prepared by the Pope. It emphasized that families and faith communities should accompany people facing hardship with compassion rather than condemnation.

“The world has no future without strong families open to the gift of children and attentive to their education and growth,” Cardinal Tagle said during the Mass.