Thousands pray at Fátima for Pope Leo XIV ahead of lung nodule surgery
Pilgrims gathered at the Fátima sanctuary on Monday, 12 October, for the October pilgrimage, which includes a special prayer for Pope Leo XIV. The Pope is to be admitted on Tuesday, 13 October, to have a lung nodule removed.
Pilgrims arrive at Fátima
Pilgrims began arriving at the Fátima sanctuary on Monday, 12 October, for the October pilgrimage, which commemorates the sixth apparition of Our Lady at the Cova da Iria in 1917, when thousands gathered. The celebrations on 13 October are the last pilgrimage of the year, and the grounds filled through the morning. One pilgrim on her second visit arrived with a parish group from Celeiros and Carvalhal, in the municipality of Mafra. The group entered holding a white rope decorated with yellow flowers, which they used to trace a rosary on the ground. They then stood silently and hand in hand inside the rope for long minutes before a surge of emotion ended the moment.
The Pope's health shapes the prayers
Pope Leo XIV's health is the central theme of this year's ceremonies, which run on 12 and 13 October. On Sunday, 11 October, the Pope told the faithful in St Peter's Square at the Vatican that he would undergo an intervention. SAPO reports that he is to be admitted on Tuesday, 13 October, to have a lung nodule removed, the same day the pilgrims gather for the celebrations. SIC Notícias reports that a special prayer for his recovery is part of this year's ceremonies at the Cova da Iria. Sanctuary officials remain cautious but optimistic.
- Pope tells the faithful in St Peter's Square he will undergo an intervention
- Pilgrimage begins with press conference by the sanctuary rector and archbishop
- Vigil of prayer and mass
- Pope is to be admitted to have a lung nodule removed
Optimism about a 2027 visit
Carlos Cabecinhas, the rector of the Fátima sanctuary, told journalists at the press conference ahead of the pilgrimage that he keeps his optimism that the Pope may visit Fátima in 2027. He said he does not have any privileged information.
I start by saying that I do not have any privileged information (...), it is just a deep conviction that the Pope may come, or that it is very likely that the Pope will come next year
Cabecinhas said the apostolic nuncio, Andrés Carrascosa Coso, had told him the Pope would certainly come to Fátima when his schedule allowed, and as soon as he could. The rector described these as prudent statements from someone who does not yet know the date. He added that if a visit was not possible next year, it should happen at the first opportunity.
Reaction from the pilgrimage president
José Cordeiro, archbishop of Braga and president of the pilgrimage of 12 and 13 October, called the way the Pope announced the intervention on Sunday disarming. He described the Pope's trust in doctors, science and the people who accompany him as a sign of confidence.
The way he said it disarmed us too, and at the same time it shows that trust, because he says he trusts the doctors, trusts science, trusts the people who accompany him.
Cordeiro said that Fátima always prays for the head of the Catholic Church and expressed the wish that Leo XIV "feels this consolation". He asked that the Mother accompany and enlighten the doctors who will attend the Pope.
Prayers and the vigil
The pilgrimage programme includes a Eucharistic procession and a rosary at the Capelinha das Aparições. The candle procession follows, and the night vigil of prayer and the mass run overnight into Tuesday, 13 October. A word repeated by pilgrims is thanks, for health and for work, and also a plea for peace. One pilgrim said that on arrival she felt a peace welcoming her.
