Bishop Burns calls for prayers for Pope Leo XIV

Bishop Edward J. Burns asked Catholics in the Diocese of Dallas to pray for Pope Leo XIV following the pope's diagnosis of lung cancer. Bishop Burns requested that the faithful and people of goodwill pray for the pope's healing and strength.

The Vatican reported that the pope was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during a procedure at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Oct. 13. While the surgery was successful, the pope's scheduled audiences were canceled through Oct. 20. This follows an Oct. 11 announcement that doctors had discovered a lung nodule requiring surgical removal.

Bishop Burns expressed deep concern regarding the news and encouraged parishioners to include the pope in their daily prayers and during Mass. On Oct. 13, the bishop led a family rosary at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson as part of the diocese's observance of the Month of the Rosary.