By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has issued a national call to prayer, appealing to all clergy, religious personnel, and lay faithful across the nation to unite in spiritual support for Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule.

The move follows the Holy Father’s own announcement during his Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square on 11 October 2026. Disclosing that routine medical checks had revealed a localized nodule in his lung detected at a very early stage, Pope Leo XIV shared his intention to follow medical advice and undergo surgery. In doing so, the Pontiff personally anointed and initiated this call to prayer, inviting the global church to accompany him spiritually as he prepares for the procedure.

Responding swiftly to the Holy Father’s personal request, the CBCN issued an official statement on 12 October 2026, signed by Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna and President of the CBCN. The conference expressed profound gratitude that the condition was caught early and assured Pope Leo XIV of the unyielding love, solidarity, and prayers of Nigeria’s Catholic community.

To ensure widespread participation, the Nigerian Bishops have called on priests, religious orders, and the lay faithful across all dioceses to offer special intentions during Holy Mass and through the recitation of the Rosary. The prayers are specifically directed toward a successful surgical outcome, a swift and smooth recovery, and divine wisdom for the medical team caring for the Holy Father. The CBCN concluded its message by entrusting the Pope’s health and ministry to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick.