(ANS – Rome – October 12, 2026) – Fr. Fabio Attard, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, has sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV, who is scheduled to be admitted to Policlinico Gemelli Hospital in Rome on October 13 for surgery to remove a localized lung nodule.

The Pope announced the planned surgery on Sunday during the Angelus. The nodule was detected during recent medical examinations, which the director of the Holy See Press Office described as routine. Admission is scheduled for late morning, and the postoperative hospital stay is expected to last about a week. The Prefecture of the Papal Household has canceled all audiences through Tuesday, October 20.

The full text of the Rector Major’s letter follows:

Rome, October 12, 2026

Holy Father,

The affection and devotion that Don Bosco felt for the Successor of Peter live on unchanged today in my heart and in the hearts of all Salesians throughout the world, who stand by you during this time of trial.

Together with all the provincials of the Congregation, we are encouraging young people in Salesian houses to pray so that you may soon return in good health to lead the Church. And you know how much the prayers of young people, especially the poorest among them, touch God’s heart.

All the members of the Salesian Family join us Salesians in standing by your side. May you feel our closeness.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom Don Bosco taught us to invoke as our Help in times of trial, be for you a most tender Mother and Helper.

Fr. Fabio Attard
Rector Major

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV, who has been receiving messages of support and good wishes from Churches and political leaders across five continents since October 11, held all his scheduled audiences on the morning of October 12. However, he did not participate in the afternoon sessions of the meeting in the Paul VI Hall on Amoris Laetitia, marking 10 years since its publication.

The surgery and hospital stay have prompted changes to the meeting’s program, as explained by Fr. Giacomo Costa, head of methodology and consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod. The Mass scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, in St. Peter’s Square will not be presided over by the Pope. Instead, he has entrusted the celebration to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, dean of the College of Cardinals.

“We will pray in a special way for the Holy Father’s health as well as for families,” Fr. Costa said.

The Pope has also requested that the final Synod Report not be published immediately. He wishes to receive it and, after being discharged from the hospital, review the materials and offer his own comments.

Source: Vatican News