Entrance of Saint Xavier University’s (SXU’s) McDonough Chapel The Xavierite
Pope Leo XIV was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and shortly after underwent successful surgery which he is now recovering from.
Leo announced the news of his operation during his Sunday prayers to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
He said that the doctors found a nodule on his lung and that the nodule was caught at an early stage.
Doctors advised Leo to undergo surgery to remove it to prevent the nodule getting worse.
Emmanuel Arenas, S.J. who is currently studying in Rome, felt a sense of concern amongst the community of Vatican City.
Arenas also noticed that many people would go to St. Peter’s Basilica and pray for Leo.
“I think the reason a lot of people were worried is because he’s a young pope, and so people are expecting him to be here for quite some time,” said Arenas.
Saint Xavier University’s (SXU’s) Vice President of Mission and Heritage Jenny DeVivo, Ph.D. also presumed Leo to have excellent health for many years.
“Pope Leo has a reputation for being healthy and in excellent shape, so the news was a surprise,” said DeVivo.
SXU’s Campus Ministry prayed for Leo’s health and recovery during their daily and communal prayer.
Many people all over the world were concerned for Leo and his health due to the sudden news.
Leo has made not only many significant impacts on the Roman Catholic Church, but to the entire world as a pope.
“Leo is a global leader to whom many look for teaching, wisdom and guidance outside of Catholicism, he has an un-paralleled voice at the global scale,” said DeVivo.
When news broke out about Leo’s diagnosis and upcoming procedure, global leaders such as United States Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Bishop of Dallas Bishop Edward J. Burns offered their public prayers and well wishes to Leo.
Throughout the world, many people prayed for him and his health as soon as they heard about his procedure.
Leo underwent a 90-minute surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital which was announced to be successful and soon began his recovery.
After the surgery was completed, Leo’s diagnosis was officially revealed as lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer.
Days after his procedure, Leo was successfully discharged from the hospital.
Many people were relieved and happy hearing the news about Leo being discharged and that his surgery went smoothly.
“I was very relieved to hear that the surgery went smoothly and delighted to hear that no further treatment is necessary,” said DeVivo.
Even with the good news, some people will continue to pray for Leo to continue to support him and ensure a safe recovery.
“Although he’s discharged and he looks healthy, we’re going to continue to pray for him because recovery can take a couple of weeks especially after removing something from your body,” said Arenas.
Leo was advised to not travel within 3 weeks after his surgery, allowing him to continue his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6 to Nov. 17.
Leo has made a huge impact on many people within the Roman Catholic Church and outside of the church to the rest of the world.
With Leo being the first U.S. born pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church and from Chicago, Illinois, Leo is important to many people belonging to the Roman Catholic Church or to those who are from Chicago.
“I never thought I would live to see an American pope, much less a Chicagoan. Knowing that he is from the Chicago area is familiar to me in a way that other popes have not been,” said DeVivo.
“As a Jesuit, we have a unique relationship with the pope to be of service to him and the church as best as we can, we want to be there for him and that is why he is so special to me,” said Arenas.
As time goes on, Leo will continue to have immense support from many people around the world for a safe and healthy recovery as he gradually steps back into his position as pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
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