Cape Fear Catholics pray for Pope Leo following lung cancer diagnosis
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Catholics across the Cape Fear are turning to prayer and expressing hope for Pope Leo XIV’s recovery after the Vatican announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
The news shocked some local Catholics, who say they are keeping the Pope in their prayers as questions remain about his recovery.
During Tuesday night Mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Wilmington, the community offered a prayer for those facing illness.
“That the sick and suffering among us soon find restoration and healing, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer.”
Father Cesar Torres, who led the Mass, said he remains optimistic about the pope’s recovery.
“Now we are hoping he needs something more, maybe to prevent extension of the cancer, but I think the Pope is strong and I think he can overcome this problem.”
Parishioner Mary David, a former operating room nurse, said she hopes the cancer was detected early enough for the Pope to make a full recovery.
“I hoped that they had gotten it early so that it hadn’t spread and that he had a good surgeon and that all would go well. I’m praying for him to have an easy recovery and a complete stop of any forming cancer.”
Prayers for the pope are also being offered by members of the Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
UNCW student Xavier Longe said the ministry has included prayers for the pope during its services.
“Continue to pray for him. At daily Mass today, we even had a prayer intention specifically for his recovery, and that’s all we can do because the rest in the Lord’s hands.”
Longe said he hopes Pope Leo will have many more years to lead the Catholic Church and continue his ministry.
“He’s only had such a short impact, and he’s also had various talks about AI and the age that we live in. So I definitely think once he recovers, he’ll continue to, continue his ministry here on earth.”
Sean Strasma, director of UNCW’s Catholic Campus Ministry, said the Pope’s diagnosis also serves as a reminder for people to pay attention to their own health.
“Whenever we have a cultural icon or world leader struggle with health issues in particular, when it makes us all take a step back and kind of reexamine our own life habits and choices. We really do want people to live their healthiest and very best lives.”
The diagnosis raises questions about how quickly Pope Leo can recover and whether he will be able to maintain his demanding schedule.
The pope is scheduled to visit Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru in November, though his ability to make the trip could depend on guidance from his doctors.
