Cardinal Cupich says he was shocked by Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis as Chicago faithful offer prayers
By Rob Hughes, Maher Kawash, Cate Cauguiran and Lissette Nuñez
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CHICAGO (WLS) — Students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy prayed for Pope Leo Wednesday after his lung cancer diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Blase Cupich spoke with ABC7 Chicago from Rome on Wednesday.
Cardinal Cupich said he was “shocked” and saddened to learn of Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis, while Catholics in the pope’s hometown of Chicago expressed concern and offered prayers for his recovery.
Cupich, speaking from Rome where he is attending meetings at the Vatican, said he has not communicated with the pope since the diagnosis but has been following medical updates closely.
“I have to say, I was shocked and really found it disconcerting. I’ve known him for a number of years, over a decade, and so I was just so sorry that he was suffering,” Cupich said.
The diagnosis came as a surprise even to some within the Vatican, according to Cupich, who described the 71-year-old pontiff as active and energetic.
“He’s a very serene and calm individual. He’ll pay attention to the science. You know, he’s a mathematician, so he knows how to look at things objectively,” Cupich said.
The Vatican has said Pope Leo is recovering as expected after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung Tuesday. According to Vatican updates, the pope is walking, eating his regular diet and undergoing respiratory therapy while doctors continue testing to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Cupich said the pope has long maintained a demanding schedule.
“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,” he said.
Back in Chicago, prayers for the pontiff were a focus for many Catholics. For some, the diagnosis carries a personal connection. Gail Spreen, who said she lost her husband to cancer several years ago, expressed confidence in the pope’s 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 also offered prayers and encouragement.
“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.
“He needs to rest to continue what he’s doing and bring peace to all the countries that have trouble,” said Holy Name parishioner Hector Sarmina.
Cupich said the pope’s illness could also deepen his connection with people facing health challenges of their own.
“I think every family has someone who is ill, sick, suffering from cancer, some other kind of disease. So to see the Pope undergo an illness like this really allows him to draw close to them,” he said.
The cardinal also emphasized the pope’s influence on global issues.
“He has really stepped on the global stage very quickly to make an impact on calling for world peace, looking for ways in which the marginalized are cared for, and being able to highlight what are the values that bring society together and call the best out of everyone. So we don’t want to lose that voice,” Cupich said.
As Chicago Catholics continue to pray for the pope, Cupich said the concern is especially personal in the city.
“He’s a hometown boy, and we’re concerned about him,” he 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.
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.
“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.
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.
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