Chicago Catholics respond to Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis

Chicago Catholics respond to Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis

Chicago-area Catholics are gathering to offer prayers of healing for Pope Leo XIV after the Vatican announced Tuesday he has lung cancer.

Why it matters: Catholics around the world, but especially in Leo's hometown, are leaning on prayer and their faith in response to the Church leader's health news.

Context: "Its seriousness depends primarily on the stage at diagnosis," Dr. Mohamed Abazeed, co-leader of the lung cancer program at Northwestern University, said about the pope's adenocarcinoma in a statement.

  • "When detected early and confined to the lung, it is often curable with surgery. The reported early detection of Pope Leo's cancer is encouraging but not conclusive."

    • Reality check: The Vatican has not yet publicly released whether the cancer has spread and whether additional treatment is needed.

    What they're saying: "I ask that people of good will everywhere, but particularly here, in Pope Leo's hometown, join me in asking the Lord to return this son of Chicago to wellness," Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich said Tuesday in a statement. "

  • He has much more good work to do, many more wise words to preach and many more ways to inspire others."

    • State of play: Students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Lakeview created a care package for Leo, including handmade get-well cards and a White Sox blanket, the archdiocese announced.

  • The student group is known as Team 14, a 40-member organization named after Pope Leo XIV. Students and their families met Leo last October.
  • Members of the Catholic Extension Society gathered in front of Leo's childhood home Tuesday, ABC 7 reported.

    • Zoom in: Catholics fighting for immigrant rights in Chicago are scheduled to meet with the Pope on Oct. 28. The plans are still intact despite the diagnosis.

  • "The Vatican's announcement of Pope Leo's cancer diagnosis has only deepened our profound appreciation for him as the head of the global Catholic Church. He has taken a stand for the dignity and worth of all people," The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL) said in a statement to Axios.
  • "Our main concern is that the Pope fully recovers and is healthy enough to fulfill the demanding obligations of his ministry. We are hopeful that we can still meet him in two weeks to share our gratitude, well wishes, and show him our love and support from his fellow Chicagoans, especially as a grassroots organization from his hometown," the group added.

    • What's next: The Holy See Press Office announced Wednesday afternoon that the Pope was walking around and eating regularly.