Marcos urges Filipinos to pray for Pope Leo’s recovery

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on Filipinos to pray for the swift and full recovery of Pope Leo XIV, who was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican said he had resumed his regular diet, begun walking and celebrated Mass in the hospital while recovering from surgery.

READ: Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer, Vatican says after surgery

“The entire Filipino nation joins the Catholic faithful around the world in praying for the swift and full recovery of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV,” Marcos said in a social media post.

“We look forward to his return to good health and to his continued spiritual leadership, guidance and blessings for the faithful,” he added.

The Vatican said the cancer had been suspected based on preoperative tests and was confirmed during surgery.

Pope Leo XIV, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, is the 267th supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church. He was elected in May 2025, succeeding Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025.

READ: Some key info on the newly elected Pope Leo XIV

A native of Chicago and a citizen of Peru, Prevost is the first pope from the United States.

He was ordained a priest in the Order of St. Augustine on June 18, 1982, and did missionary work in Chulucanas, Peru, from 1985 to 1986. He held various roles in Trujillo, Peru, from 1988 to 1998.

Prevost also served as provincial of the Augustinian Province in Chicago from 1999 to 2001 before becoming prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, serving two terms from 2001 to 2013.

He then became apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2014 to 2015, and bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023.

He was also elected president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, serving in both roles from 2023 to 2025. /das