ROME and SALT LAKE CITY (KIFI) – As Pope Leo XIV recovers from a successful lung surgery following his diagnosis with lung cancer, the first American pope sent a message to Catholics gathered at the Vatican Wednesday.
“As you know, I have been unable to be among you during these days. I thank you warmly for your prayers and for the work you have done together. Your sharing of experiences and attentive listening are indeed a gift to the whole Church. I am especially grateful to the families who have spoken of their joys, struggles and hopes,” Pope Leo wrote. “… Entrusting each of you to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth, I ask you please to pray for me, as I pray for you. To all of you I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing.”
The message was written to celebrate 10 years since Amoris Iaetitia, which affirms Catholic teachings on the family. Issued by Pope Francis, the document “opens the door to the possibility for divorced or remarried Catholics to receive communion,” CNN reports.
The Pope’s diagnosis prompted outpourings of support from global religious leaders.
Halfway around the world, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a message of faith and hope to the Vatican in Rome.
“We express our heartfelt concern for Pope Leo XIV as he confronts health challenges and extend our sincere wishes for his comfort, strength, and a swift recovery,” the LDS prophet President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson wrote. “We join with people of faith around the world in praying that heaven will bless and sustain him during this time. May he feel the peace and healing power of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Likewise in London, the Church of England’s Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally posted on X, “I pray that the Holy Spirit – the Comforter, Healer and Giver of Life – will sustain him in the days and weeks ahead, and that his recovery will be swift and complete.”
Viktor Eichner, a representative of the World Jewish Congress to the Holy See, posted, “On behalf of the World Jewish Congress, I wish Pope Leo XIV a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. May he return to full strength soon.”
