Bishops Worldwide Ask Everyone to Unite in Prayer for Pope Leo XIV's Health after He Announces Upcoming Surgery

Catholic bishops and faithful worldwide have united in prayer for Pope Leo XIV following his announcement on Sunday, October 11, 2026, that he will undergo surgery to remove a localized lung nodule. The 71-year-old pontiff disclosed the news during his weekly Angelus address, marking the first major public health concern of his 17-month pontificate. Pope Leo XIV explicitly thanked the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for their "spiritual closeness" and entrusted himself entirely to their prayers. [1]

Global Response from Church Leaders

Bishops and archdioceses globally responded with swift statements and calls for public prayer: [2]
• United States: Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called on the faithful to join the prelates in praying for the Pope's health, asking that the hands of the surgeons be guided by Jesus Christ, "the divine physician". [1]
• Washington, D.C.: Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, speaking from the Vatican where he was attending a Conference on Marriage and Family Life alongside other international bishops, asked all priests in his archdiocese to offer Mass for the Pope's health. [1]
• New York: Archbishop Ronald Hicks issued a statement of support while finishing a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, asking for spiritual support from the entire Archdiocese of New York. [1]
• Canada: The Archdiocese of Toronto invited its community to join in prayer for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery. [1]

Catholic bishops from the following nations have also joined the chorus of global support, releasing statements and organizing prayer networks for Pope Leo XIV. The outpouring from Latin America is particularly poignant, as the Pope is still scheduled to embark on a major apostolic tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6–17, 2026. 1

Messages from Europe

• England & Wales: Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster, President of the Bishops' Conference, wrote, “We pray that following the procedure and a period of recovery, he will soon be restored to health. “I have sent a message on behalf of all in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, assuring him of our prayers.”
• Scotland: The Bishops' Conference of Scotland's President Bishop John Keenan issued a statement: "“At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem. “On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support."
• Poland: Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda SAC, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, has appealed to the Polish people to pray for the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, asking God for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
• Spain: The President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Msgr. Luis Argüello, "invites the entire Spanish Church—dioceses, institutes of consecrated life, lay communities and associations, all members of the People of God, and our fellow citizens—to pray for the health of our beloved Pope Leo XIV." [1]
• Portugal: The Bishop of Leiria-Fátima invited pilgrims at the Shrine of Fátima to dedicate their Rosary intentions to the Pope's health, recalling the Pope's stated desire to visit the Marian shrine. [1]

Messages from Latin America (Upcoming Tour Nations)
• Argentina: The Argentine Episcopal Conference invites the entire People of God to join in a special prayer for Pope Leo XIV as he undergoes surgery. We ask the Lord to grant him strength and peace at this time, for the operation to proceed successfully, and for him to make a speedy and full recovery. The call to prayer was underscored by a message from Argentine President Javier Milei, who stated that "all Argentina accompanies him" in this health challenge.
• Peru: The Peruvian Episcopal Conference called for a nationwide  prayer, noting the Pope's deep-rooted connection to the country. They emphasized that the Peruvian faithful are eagerly preparing to welcome him in November and are praying nothing disrupts his health.
• Uruguay: The Catholic Church in Uruguay released a message of support, asking the faithful to pray that the Pope maintains the "serenity and composure" he displayed during his announcement.
• Brazil: The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), the country with the largest Catholic population in the world, wrote: "We welcome your request for prayers and join with the bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and all the people of God in Brazil, imploring the Lord to sustain you with His peace, enlighten the professionals responsible for your care, and grant you a full recovery."
• Mexico: The Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Pope's successful operation, saying "we join in prayer for his health, trusting in God's mercy and asking that He accompany him, strengthen him, and guide those who will be in charge of his medical care" [1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  

Asian bishops call communities to prayer

Vatican News released that in Thailand, Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told LiCAS News that he was surprised, having met the Pope only days earlier. 
He invited Catholics throughout Thailand to express their spiritual closeness and prayed that Jesus Christ, the divine physician, would guide the surgeons.

Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit of Chiang Mai invoked the Blessed Mother’s protection. “May the Blessed Mother protect him and remain by his side, allowing him to feel the love and prayers of his children around the world,” he said.

In the Philippines, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, asked Bishops and priests to offer Mass for the Pope’s successful operation and recovery. 
He also encouraged religious communities, families, and the faithful to offer the Rosary, daily sacrifices, and acts of charity for his healing.

“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,” he said.

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos praised the Pope’s openness as an expression of “a humble and trusting leadership,” assuring him of spiritual closeness and support.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo likewise promised prayers and Masses, asking God to guide the medical team’s hands, minds, and hearts.