Canada’s Catholic Bishops Offer Prayers for the Holy Father

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops joins the faithful across Canada and throughout the world in praying for the swift and complete recovery of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV following his surgery on 13 October 2026.

The CCCB President, the Most Reverend Pierre Goudreault, has also sent a letter to the Holy Father on behalf of the Canadian episcopate. The letter assures His Holiness of our prayers for his recovery and of the spiritual closeness of the Church in Canada, entrusting him to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. It also requests his Apostolic Blessing.

According to the medical statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the operation earlier yesterday involved the removal of the lower lobe of the Holy Father’s right lung. Examination of tissue during the procedure confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. The surgery was completed successfully and without complications.

The Bishops of Canada express their affection and spiritual closeness to the Holy Father and their gratitude to the medical team caring for him.

Recalling his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, we entrust the Holy Father and all those who suffer from illness to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick. May they receive the care, compassion and comfort they need, and may those who accompany them be strengthened in their service.

We invite the faithful to join in the prayer offered by the Holy Father himself in that message:

Sweet Mother, do not part from me.
Turn not your eyes away from me.
Walk with me at every moment
and never leave me alone.
You who always protect me
as a true Mother,
obtain for me the blessing of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit.