His Beatitude Sviatoslav Assures Pope Leo XIV of His Prayers Ahead of Surgery and Wishes Him a Speedy Recovery
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is praying for the health of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV following the announcement of his scheduled surgery. His Beatitude Sviatoslav assured the Pope of the spiritual closeness of the bishops, clergy, religious, and faithful of the UGCC and wished him a speedy recovery.
On Sunday, October 11, after the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV announced that he would undergo surgery to remove a small lung nodule detected during medical examinations. Following his doctors’ recommendations, the Holy Father decided to proceed with the surgery, which is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, before noon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
On behalf of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav assured the Holy Father of his prayers for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and renewed physical and spiritual strength.
“I assure you of the prayers of the entire Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. During these days, we are spiritually united with you, asking the Lord to grant you a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and the strength to continue carrying out your apostolic ministry—to be a messenger of peace in a world wounded by wars. May the Lord sustain you with His grace, and may the Most Holy Mother of God enfold you in her maternal protection,” said the Head of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also thanked Pope Leo XIV for his tireless efforts to end the war in Ukraine, secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and children to their families, and for his repeated calls for a ceasefire and the establishment of a just peace.
“Even on the day you announced the need for medical intervention, you did not stop thinking about those who are suffering most from Russia’s war against Ukraine. In particular, you once again drew the world’s attention to the need to resume grain shipments through the Black Sea to the poorest countries,” noted the Head of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav calls on the bishops, clergy, religious, and faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to pray for the Holy Father. He also asks prayer communities and groups to accompany Pope Leo XIV through prayer and fasting during his treatment and recovery.
The UGCC Department for Information
