CBCP asks for prayers for fast healing of Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd from a window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square during the Angelus prayer in The Vatican on March 8, 2026. Tiziana Fabi, AFP/FileMANILA — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) continues to ask for prayers for the fast recovery of Pope Leo XIV who underwent surgery.
CBCP President Archbishop Gilbert Garcera issued a statement urging the faithful to pray for the Pope.
CBCP Executive Secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano told ABS-CBN News that every parish and dioceses are encouraged to offer a special prayer for Pope Leo XIV.
“Ipanalangin natin na patuloy ang Santo Papa. Nawa pagkatapos ng kanyang operasyon ay magtuloy-tuloy ang kanyang paggaling. Kung ano pa mang medical intervensions ang gagawin para sa kanya, sana maging epektibo ito. At sana hilingin natin ang tulong ng Diyos para isang milagro ang mangyari para sa ating Santo Papa,” Secillano said.
According to Secillano, what happened to the Pope is unexpected and what the Catholics should to do is to pray for his healing.
“Alam naman nating lahat na nag sakit puwedeng dumapo kahit kanino at kahit kailan. Palagay ko, unexpected ito, yung nga lang tayo ay nananalangin na lamang na maging maayos ang kanyang kalagayan,” Secillano said.
The Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines in Intramuros, Manila showed ABS-CBN News some of the memorabilia of its former Prior General Robert Provost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.
This include the chasuble wore by Pope Leo XIV when he visited the country as the Augustinian’s Prior General.
Several pictures of Pope Leo XIV are also being kept as a precious souvenir by Filipino Augustinians in Intramuros.
A portion of the building of the Augustinians in Intramuros was actually named after the Pope, which they now called as Robert Provost House.
Several parishioners at the Saint Augustine Church in Intramuros were shocked after learning what happened to the highest leader of the Catholic Church.
”Siyempre nakakalungkot na yung lider satin, dapat kailangan niya ng pag-pray, na para ma-okay na po siya. Magpagaling siya, then dapat hindi siya mag-lose hope. Mag-pray lang tayo kasi ang Panginoon lang talaga ang nakakaalam sa lahat kasi siya lang kasi may-ari sa buhay natin. So, pray lang talaga,” Maymay Emit told ABS-CBN News.
Senior citizens Normal Ratonel and Herminigilda Laurente are hoping for the speedy recovery of the Pope.
”Well, a little sad that the pope is sick. So we pray that he will get well because he is a young pope di ba. He has not served that long yet, I hope he gets well,” said Ratonel.
”Prayers for his healing, sana gumaling pa siya dahil maganda naman ang medical care doon,” according to Laurente.