Pope Leo Lung Cancer: Cardinal Cupich Speaks as Students Make Care Package

CHICAGO (WLS) — Students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy gathered Wednesday to pray for Pope Leo XIV following news of his lung cancer diagnosis.

In Rome, Cardinal Blase Cupich also discussed the pope’s condition with ABC7 Chicago.

Cupich said he was shocked and deeply saddened by the diagnosis. In Chicago, the pontiff’s hometown, Catholics voiced concern and joined a growing wave of prayers for his recovery.

Speaking from Rome, where he is attending Vatican meetings, Cupich said he has not spoken with Pope Leo since the diagnosis was announced. He has, however, been closely monitoring updates from the medical team.

“I have to say, I was shocked and really found it disconcerting,” Cupich said. He explained that he has known the pope for more than a decade and was distressed to learn that he was suffering.

Cupich said the diagnosis surprised some people inside the Vatican as well, describing the 71-year-old pontiff as energetic and consistently active.

“He’s a very serene and calm individual. He’ll pay attention to the science,” Cupich said, noting that the pope is a mathematician who approaches situations objectively.

The Vatican said Pope Leo’s recovery is progressing as expected after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung Tuesday. Officials reported that he is walking, eating his usual diet and receiving respiratory therapy while doctors conduct additional tests to determine whether the cancer has spread.

Cupich also pointed to the pope’s history of maintaining a demanding schedule.

“I wanted to know if he was getting enough sleep, but he seemed to be able to very vigorously take up the demanding work that’s before him,” the cardinal said.

In Chicago, many Catholics focused on prayer. For Gail Spreen, who said she lost her husband to cancer several years ago, the pope’s illness felt especially personal, but she remained hopeful about his recovery.

“He’s a strong man. I really, really believe, and with all the support and all the prayers around the world that are being said for him, he will make it,” Spreen said.

Other parishioners likewise offered words of encouragement and said they were keeping the pope in their prayers.

“I’m keeping him in my prayers and I’m thinking about him during this time,” said Suzie Scott, who was visiting Holy Name Cathedral.

Cupich said the pope’s experience with serious illness may also bring him closer to people dealing with their own health struggles.

“I think every family has someone who is ill, sick, suffering from cancer, some other kind of disease,” he said. Experiencing illness firsthand, Cupich added, gives the pope an opportunity to connect more deeply with those who are suffering.

The cardinal also underscored Pope Leo’s growing role in addressing major issues around the world.

Cupich said the pope has quickly emerged on the global stage, speaking out for peace, advocating for marginalized communities and emphasizing the values that can unite society. “We don’t want to lose that voice,” he said.

As prayers continue across Chicago, Cupich said the concern surrounding the pope carries particular weight in the city.

“He’s a hometown boy, and we’re concerned about him,” Cupich said.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the pope’s planned trip to South America next month. The president of Peru said the pope’s recovery may take several weeks, and potentially longer than expected. The pope is scheduled to visit Peru, where he spent years carrying out missionary and pastoral work.

Chicago Catholic school students making care package for Pope Leo XIV after lung cancer diagnosis

Pope Leo has a special place in the hearts of children at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Chicago.

Students there went viral, after performing a “mini mock conclave” last year.

This was personal for some of the students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy.

A group of them had the chance to travel to Vatican City and meet the pope last year.

They hope the cards and blanket make the pope smile and bring him comfort.

Students gathered early Wednesday to pray after learning about Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis.

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“We found out that he does have cancer, so we are going to explain that really gently to the children in a way that feels safe and not scary to them,” teacher Allison Foerster said.

The children are part of Team 14, a student organization named in honor of Pope Leo XIV.

They went viral after participating in a mock conclave last year, and some of them then traveled to Vatican City to meet the pope.

They are now rallying around their hometown pontiff as he recovers.

“It feels nice to wish him well because he’s like a close friend and I was really sad when I heard when he was sick,” Ines Martins, a 6th grader who met the pope, said.

“I was a little nervous for Pope Leo because I’ve met him and he has a big role and I want him to stay healthy,” 8th grader Lucas Knudsen said.

Together the students made a care package to send to the pontiff. It includes a White Sox tie blanket, and get well cards.

Students shared their personalized messages to the pope.

“Dear Pope Leo, I hope you feel better. We love you,” student Parker Ashley said.

“My card is four children saying get well soon, and go White Sox,” student Catherine Esser said.

“Dear Pope Leo. We hope you feel better. We are all praying for you and the doctors that are helping you,” student Sawyer Nolot said.

A small gesture, that’s grounded on faith.

“It’s important for us to model to our students how we can live our faith in small ways, and sometimes just accompanying someone through prayer and a small action can be really impactful in hard times,” Foerster said.

School staff said they will be shipping off the care package to Gemelli Hospital, where the pope is receiving care. The small gesture is also meant to be an example of how Chicagoans care for each other.

Chicago woman, doctor highlight importance of lung cancer screening following Pope Leo diagnosis

Chicagoans are keeping Pope Leo in their thoughts and prayers following news that a surgery to remove a lung nodule revealed he has lung cancer.

Among them is Chicago resident Maida Mangianeli, who spoke about her own experience as she prepares to have another lung nodule removed after living with a more advanced stage of lung cancer for the past eight years.

“He has a lot ahead of him,” Mangianeli said. “Hopefully they’ve gotten all his cancer out. If he does have to go through chemo it’s okay because it helps you live longer.”

While there is optimism that Pope Leo’s diagnosis may be in its early stages, Mangianeli said recovery and treatment can be challenging.

“It’s very tiring,” she said. “My advice to the pope is make sure you take those timeouts when you need them. He needs to understand his own body and his own needs and deal with the fatigue because there will be a lot of fatigue.”

Medical experts say the diagnosis is also a reminder of the importance of early screening because lung cancer symptoms may not become noticeable until the disease has reached a more advanced stage.

In the past, lung cancer was often associated with smoking, but doctors say that is no longer always the case. According to Northwestern Medicine, 10% to 20% of lung cancer patients in the United States are not smokers. Other risk factors can include age, environmental pollution and, in some cases, heredity.

“Age is the number one risk factor for developing cancer,” said Dr. Mohammed Abazeed, chair and professor of radiation oncology at Northwestern Medicine. “As all of us get older our body has this incredible task it has to take every part of our DNA and replicate it billions of times and when it does that sometimes it makes mistakes.”

Abazeed said environmental factors can also play a role in cancer risk.

“Where you live, your ZIP code may be a determinant of your overall not just lung health but cancer propensity,” Abazeed said. “So I know Pope Leo lived on the South Side in an industrial zone in the 1950s and 70s. There was lots of air pollution in those areas with not so great EPA rules to control for air quality.”

Dr. Abazeed said recovery from this type of lung cancer surgery can range from weeks to months. The Vatican has announced that Pope Leo is up and walking around, which Dr. Abazeed said is a positive sign early in his recovery.