Patriarch Daniel sent Pope Leo XIV a message of support ahead of his surgical procedure

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church sent Pope Leo XIV a message of support and prayer on Monday, before the Pontiff is admitted to hospital for surgery in Rome. The Patriarch wished him “much help from God” to overcome the health problems he is facing.

“In these moments of trial, we pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Healer of our souls and bodies, to heal Your Holiness’s suffering and grant you health, so that you may continue your pastoral and missionary work,” said the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Pope Leo XIV, 71, is due to be admitted on Tuesday morning to Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Vatican Press Office announced that the Pontiff will undergo a procedure to remove a small pulmonary nodule, without specifying whether the surgery will take place that same day or later.

The nodule was discovered during a recent medical checkup. The Pope said on Sunday that it is well localized and was detected at an early stage.