MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, October 15, called on Filipinos to unite with Catholics worldwide in offering prayers for the immediate recovery of Pope Leo XIV.
In an official statement, the President conveyed the country’s solidarity with the Catholic Church, expressing hopes for the pontiff’s swift return to good health and his continued spiritual oversight.
”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 stated.
”We look forward to his return to good health and to his continued spiritual leadership, guidance and blessings for the faithful,” he further expressed.
The appeal follows an announcement from the Vatican revealing that the Pope was diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing a surgical procedure to extract the lower lobe of his right lung.
Pope Leo XIV assumed the papacy on May 8, 2025, succeeding the late Pope Francis.