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 detected during routine medical examinations.
The pontiff announced the upcoming procedure to thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square following his Sunday Angelus prayer, saying he was entrusting himself to their prayers and spiritual closeness.
In Thailand, Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), expressed shock after having an audience with Pope Leo only days earlier.
“I was deeply shocked, as I had just had an audience with the Holy Father only a few days ago,” Archbishop Vira told LiCAS News.
He urged Catholics in Thailand to pray for the Pope and show their spiritual closeness.
“On behalf of the CBCT, I earnestly invite all the faithful in Thailand to pray for him and to show their spiritual closeness. May the hand of Pope Leo’s surgeons be guided by the divine physician, Jesus Christ,” he said.
Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit of Chiang Mai, who met the Pope 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, Archbishop Gilbert Garcera of Lipa, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, called on Filipino Catholics to unite in prayer for Pope Leo.
“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,” Garcera said.
He asked bishops and priests to offer Mass for the Pope’s successful operation and recovery, and urged 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 as he continues to shepherd the universal Church,” Garcera said.
Bishop Roberto Mallari of Tarlac said he would seek the help of his community in praying for the pontiff. “I pray for the Holy Father. Hearing his health situation, I resolve to seek the help of our community to pray for him,” Mallari said.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos welcomed the Pope’s decision to personally share news about his health, saying his transparency reflected “a 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 a swift recovery, and strengthen him in his service to the Church and the world,” Alminaza said.
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 as he undergoes 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 may proceed 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,” Santos said.
Santos, who serves as the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (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 vigor” so he could continue to shepherd God’s people and carry out his Petrine ministry.
Fr. William LaRousse, MM, assistant secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), said the announcement reflected Pope Leo’s calm manner and willingness to share his personal journey with the faithful.
“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 has calm manners and is open to sharing his journey with us,” LaRousse said.
From Myanmar, Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ, Jesuit regional superior, recalled his initial alarm before realizing that the Pope was seeking medical care and asking the faithful for prayers.
“At once I thought, Oh, what has happened?! Then I realized 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 it advisable to intervene.
“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 hospitalized for approximately one week to recuperate.
Dr. Sunettra Chongtrakul, a Catholic specialist physician 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 millimeters in diameter.
“Nodules are frequently discovered during routine preventive health screenings or secondary imaging. When detected at a very early stage and well-localized, surgical resection allows doctors to treat the lesion definitively while preserving maximum lung function,” Chongtrakul said.
Lay Catholics have also joined prayers for the Pope.
Yindee Poolpokphol, a representative of the Catholic deaf community in Thailand, thanked Pope Leo for the simplicity and trust with which he shared his health situation.
“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,” Poolpokphol said.
