Accompanying Pope Leo
Last Sunday Pope Leo XIV got the world’s attention when he announced that his doctors had found a small nodule on one of his lungs and that he would have surgery to remove it. This news quickly spread. I myself learned of this when a parishioner arriving for Sunday Mass who had heard it on the morning news told me.
It amazes me to see how quickly news about the pope’s health spreads across the world to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. It is a good thing for the news to spread as it leads to many people praying for Pope Leo XIV during this health crisis. I am just surprised that in our secularized culture so many people pay attention to news about the pope. I am grateful they do.
The first two days news of Pope Leo’s health remained in the forefront. Pope Leo’s surgery happened on Tuesday. The surgery went very well (thanks be to God and the medical team) and Pope Leo is recovering well. They removed the lower lobe of the lung where the nodule was found. I am told by a doctor that this means they removed about 1/3 – ½ of that lung but that, depending on the cancer, Pope Leo has a great chance for full recovery.
The amount Pope Leo’s health has been in the news has been much less in the 1 ½ days since the surgery. There has not been a lot to report in the news. This morning’s report simply says, ‘”This morning, the Holy Father underwent routine checks, which yielded normal results. The chest X-ray showed good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery. He carried out his daily activities independently. His physiotherapy session included a full range of physical activities.” “Overall, his postoperative recovery is progressing normally.” ‘(Vatican News, ” Pope Leo’s postoperative recovery ‘progressing normally’. “ October 15, 2026.)
I gave this article the title, “Accompanying Pope Leo.” I chose the word “accompanying” deliberately. The world responded quickly to the bad news of Pope Leo’s health. Many prayers have been offered. Will the prayers continue as long as needed?
I say this because it is not uncommon for people to respond quickly with prayers when a new health situation or other suffering for anyone we know. When we know the person personally, we often rush to their bedside to be with them. This is a good thing.
This constitutes the beginnings of our accompanying the person in their suffering. The question I am thinking about with my use of the word “accompanying” is do we continue to pray for the person. If we personally know the person, do we continue to make ourselves physically present to our suffering friend? Do we offer them help?
Now, the whole world will not personally accompany Pope Leo during his recovery from the surgery and throughout his treatment. I hope everyone will continue to pray for him.
In my upcoming presentation, From Suffering to Hope, accompaniment will be one part of the discussion. For now, I invite you to think about the people you know personally who might be suffering and ask yourself in prayer are you accompanying them in whatever way God asks of you.
Remember, visiting the sick is a Corporal Work of Mercy, and is taught by Jesus in Matthew 25:36.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff