San Diego Catholics react to Pope Leo’s lung cancer diagnosis
SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA) - Catholics around the world, including in San Diego, are praying for Pope Leo Wednesday after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
The diagnosis was announced following a successful surgery Tuesday to remove a growth on his lung.
The mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Barrio Logan Tuesday night was dedicated to Pope Leo.
Once the pastor announced the holy father is healing after a successful surgery to remove cancer on his lung, the congregation prayed for him.
"I prayed to God the Father and Jesus that he is granted a speedy healing, a restful healing. He spoken only so he can continue to serve the people of God," said one San Diego resident.
"Just because he's the pope doesn't mean he's exempt to illness, so let's gather in prayer and pray for him," said another San Diego resident.
Pope Leo has a special connection to San Diego as he has visited multiple times before becoming the pope.
He's part of Augustinian Religious Order, which runs St. Augustine High School in North Park, as well as nearby St. Patrick School and Church where Father Tom Davis is the associate pastor.
"We Augustinians, our charism is community," Father Davis remarked.
Davis has known Pope Leo since the two met more than 20 years ago at a convocation. He was then known as Father Robert Prevost.
"He's an incredible man. Incredibly holy man, very spiritual. Of course, as most people know, he's highly educated as well, too. Great sense of humor, as well, too. Just a fun person to be with," Davis shared.
Students at St. Augustine High in North Park were treated to his humor when he celebrated mass with them in 2012, for the school's 90th anniversary.
He returned to San Diego in 2016, where The Southern Cross Newspaper snapped a picture of him when he ordained Father Carlos Medina at St. Patrick.
Davis said he's using his spiritual might to help his friend.
"Been praying constantly for him throughout this whole ordeal as well. Then, of course, God touched him in ways, the sending the Holy Spirit to help heal him as well, too. And of course, God, the doctors and the nurses who are helping him get better as well, too," Davis expressed.
The San Diego faithful all calling on a higher power, hoping Pope Leo will soon be seen waving to the masses from the balcony above St. Peter's Basilica.
The Vatican provided a health update Wednesday, saying the pope's recovery from surgery is progressing as expected, and said he has begun walking in his hospital room and eating normally.
