AFRICA – African Churches express closeness to Pope Leo XIV: Prayers and best wishes for his surgery

Rome – The Churches of Africa express closeness to Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule.
On behalf of the African bishops, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar , has sent a message conveying his best wishes to the Holy Father.
“Having learned of Your Holiness’ forthcoming surgery, I wish, on behalf of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar and the entire People of God throughout Africa and its islands, to express our sincere closeness and solidarity in prayer,” the Cardinal writes.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has also issued a statement expressing “its prayerful solidarity with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV”, following his announcement at the Angelus on Sunday, 11 October 2026, that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule in his lung.
“Grateful that the condition was detected at a very early stage, we assure the Holy Father of the love, support and fervent prayers of the Catholic faithful in Nigeria.
“We call upon priests, religious and lay faithful across our Dioceses to pray for the Holy Father, especially at Holy Mass and through the Rosary, asking for a successful operation, a smooth recovery, and wisdom and skill for his medical team.
May Almighty God grant him healing, peace and renewed strength for his ministry. We entrust him to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick.”
With these words, the Nigerian bishops conclude their message, assuring the Pope of the closeness and spiritual support of the country’s Catholic community.

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