TARLAC CITY, Tarlac – The Diocese of Tarlac has urged Catholics to pray for Pope Leo XIV after the 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery to remove part of his right lung on Tuesday.
In a circular letter dated October 13, 2026, the diocese asked all priests, religious communities, and the faithful to include special prayers for the Pope during daily Masses. The letter was issued upon the request of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and as a quick response of Tarlac Bishop Most Rev. Roberto Mallari, D.D.
The diocese instructed rectors, parish priests, chaplains, and religious communities to include a special petition in the Prayers of the Faithful during all daily Holy Masses for the successful operation and full, speedy recovery of the Pope.
It also asked them to offer the Holy Rosary or spend time in Eucharistic Adoration for the guidance of the medical team attending to the Holy Father.
“Let us unite our hearts in simple, earnest prayer, placing the Holy Father under the loving protection of Our Lady, Mother of the Church, and praying for his swift return to health and ministry,” the diocese said.
Meanwhile, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will lead a Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday in place of the Pope, according to the Vatican. Pope Leo entrusted the celebration to Tagle, the new Dean of the College of Cardinals, as he recovers from surgery.
According to the Holy See Press Office, doctors removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. Tissue examined during the operation confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
The surgery lasted about 90 minutes, and the Pope was in the operating room for around three hours. Doctors said the operation was successful and there were no complications.
Pope Leo woke up normally after surgery and returned to his room on the hospital’s 10th floor after a brief period of observation. He is expected to stay in the hospital for about one week, and his schedule has been cleared until October 20 to give him time to recover.
Despite reassurances from the Vatican, the news has worried Catholics worldwide. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin said the news was like a “bolt from the blue,” but added that the cardinals were struck by the Pope’s “serenity” and were confident in his recovery.
In Tarlac, the diocese continues to call on the faithful to pray for the Pope’s recovery.
