(LiCAS News): Catholic bishops and Church leaders across Asia rallied communities to pray for Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to undergo surgery to remove a small lung lesion discovered during a routine medical examination.
The pontiff announced the upcoming procedure to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square following his Sunday Angelus prayer on October 11, saying he was entrusting himself to their prayers and spiritual closeness.
“I was deeply shocked, as I had just had an audience with the Holy Father a few days ago,” said Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand [CBCT], noting that he had met with the pope just days earlier.
He urged Catholics in Thailand to pray for the pope and demonstrate their spiritual closeness.
“On behalf of the CBCT, I earnestly invite all the faithful in Thailand to pray for him and show their spiritual closeness. May the hands of Pope Leo’s surgeons be guided by the divine physician, Jesus Christ,” he said.
Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit of Chiang Mai, who met Pope Leo in September, said learning that the condition had been detected early had eased his anxiety and strengthened his desire to remain close to him in prayer.
“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,” Bishop Suphot said.
In the Philippines, Bishop Roberto Mallari of Tarlac said he would seek his community’s help in praying for the pope. “I pray for the Holy Father. Hearing his health situation, I resolve to seek the help of our community to pray for him,” he said.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos welcomed the pope’s decision to personally share news about his health, saying his transparency reflected “humble and trusting leadership” that invited the Church to accompany him in prayer.
“We are grateful for his trust as he entrusts himself to our prayers, and we assure Pope Leo XIV of our spiritual closeness and support as he prepares for surgery. May the Lord guide the hands of his doctors, grant him a successful procedure and swift recovery, and strengthen him in his service to the Church and the world,” Bishop Alminaza said.
Pope Leo said recent routine medical examinations had uncovered a small lung lesion and that doctors considered intervention advisable
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo said his diocese would offer prayers and Holy Masses for Pope Leo and asked that the medical team entrusted with his care be guided through the surgery.
“As we accompany the Holy Father during this time, please be assured of the Diocese of Antipolo’s prayers and Holy Masses for Pope Leo XIV. We pray that his forthcoming surgery proceeds safely and successfully, that the Lord may guide the hands, minds, and hearts of the medical team entrusted with his care, and that he may be granted a swift and complete recovery,” Bishop Santos said.
Bishop Santos, who serves as the WACOM Episcopal Coordinator for Asia, said the Catholic Church in the Philippines remained united in prayer for the Pope, asking that he be restored to “full health and renewed vigour” so he may continue to shepherd God’s people and carry out his Petrine ministry.
Maryknoll Father William LaRousse, assistant secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said, “This follows the style of Pope Leo XIV—a calm announcement of an upcoming operation for something caught early. It is a humble reminder that he, like all of us, is human. He remains composed and is open to sharing his journey with us.”
Nodules are frequently discovered during routine preventive health screenings or secondary imaging. When detected at a very early stage and well-localised, surgical resection allows doctors to treat the lesion definitively while preserving maximum lung function
Dr. Sunettra Chongtrakul
From Myanmar, Jesuit Father Girish Santiago, Jesuit regional superior, said, “At once I thought, Oh, what has happened?! Then I realised he is simply seeking medical care and asking for prayers from all. It is a wonderful gesture from him,” Santiago said.
Pope Leo said recent routine medical examinations had uncovered a small lung lesion and that doctors considered intervention advisable.
“I have decided to have the operation to remove it, following their advice. I entrust myself to your prayers and spiritual closeness,” the Pope said.
Vatican officials confirmed that the pontiff would undergo the procedure shortly and was expected to remain hospitalised for approximately one week to recuperate.
Dr. Sunettra Chongtrakul, a Catholic specialist physician at Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok, explained that a lung nodule, often colloquially called a “spot on the lung”, appears on diagnostic imaging as a small, white opacity against dark, healthy tissue, typically measuring under 30 millimetres in diameter.
“Nodules are frequently discovered during routine preventive health screenings or secondary imaging. When detected at a very early stage and well-localised, surgical resection allows doctors to treat the lesion definitively while preserving maximum lung function,” Chongtrakul said.
Lay people have also joined prayers for the pope.
Yindee Poolpokphol, a representative of the Catholic deaf community in Thailand, said, “We thank Pope Leo for the simplicity and trust with which he has allowed us to share in this trial. We are one family: Holy Father, you are not alone.”
