African Bishops Unite in Prayer for Pope Leo XIV
From Kinshasa to Kaduna, conferences asked for Masses and the Rosary as the Holy Father underwent lung surgery in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on October 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital to remove a small nodule from his lung. The Holy Father had announced the procedure at the Angelus on Sunday, October 11. Hospitalization is expected to last about one week, and papal audiences have been canceled through October 20.
On the eve of the operation, the Church across Africa voiced its filial closeness to the Successor of Peter.
SECAM’s Message of Closeness
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), issued a message on October 12 on behalf of SECAM and the People of God throughout Africa and its islands.
“Having learned of Your Holiness’ forthcoming surgery, I wish… to express our sincere closeness and solidarity in prayer,” the cardinal wrote. “Your Holiness, please be assured of the filial affection and constant prayers of the Church in Africa.”
Cardinal Ambongo entrusted the Pope to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, asking for a full and speedy recovery so that he may continue his Petrine ministry. He invited all bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and lay faithful across Africa and its islands to unite in fervent prayer through Eucharistic celebrations and personal prayers.
Nigerian Bishops Call for the Rosary
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria likewise expressed prayerful solidarity. Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, president of the conference, stated: “The CBCN expresses its prayerful solidarity with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, following his announcement at the Angelus on Sunday, October 11, 2026, that he would undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule in his lung.”
The Nigerian bishops gave thanks that the condition was detected at a very early stage. They called on priests, religious, and lay faithful to pray especially at Holy Mass and through the Rosary for a successful operation, a smooth recovery, and wisdom and skill for the medical team. They entrusted the Pope to Mary, Health of the Sick.
The gestures from SECAM and the Nigerian episcopate reflect the deep bond uniting the particular Churches of Africa to the See of Peter, as the universal Church accompanies the Holy Father in prayer during his convalescence.