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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Vatican Surgery of Pope Leo XIV

African Churches to pray for Pope Leo XIV ahead of surgery

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

African bishops and pastoral communities are offering prayers for Pope Leo XIV as he prepares for surgery to remove a lung nodule. The Pope announced on Sunday, 11 October 2026, that the procedure would take place in the coming days to address the small nodule.

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, sent a message of solidarity on behalf of African bishops and the faithful across the continent and its islands.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria also issued a statement expressing prayerful support. The Nigerian bishops asked priests, religious, and laypeople in their dioceses to pray for a successful operation, a smooth recovery, and skill for the medical team during Holy Mass and the Rosary.

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How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 13, 4:52 AM Agenzia Fides African Churches express closeness to Pope Leo XIV: Prayers and best wishes for his surgery
  2. Oct 14, 9:45 AM Religión Digital Español La Iglesia africana envía al Papa sus "buenos deseos y oraciones" ante su intervención quirúrgica

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  17. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 7 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Leandro Machado Silvestre as bishop of Guajará-Mirim
  18. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 21 sources Pope Leo XIV leads General Audience on October 21, 2026, emphasizing marriage and family
  19. Oct 22, 8:01 AM PT · 23 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Holiness in History conference
  20. Oct 22, 7:28 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas presented to Dutch and Flemish bishops
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