EOHSJ Scotland

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has announced that he is stepping back from his daily duties until further notice, following medical advice. Bishop Keenan has been undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks. During this time, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day running of the Diocese of Paisley. Bishop Keenan hopes to provide a further update once these investigations are concluded and is grateful for your prayers at this time.

The bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics and all people of goodwill across the country to keep Pope Leo XIV in their prayers following surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital this afternoon. The Holy See Press Office has confirmed that tests carried out during the procedure have diagnosed the Holy Father with a common form of lung cancer. The operation was successful, and there were no complications. Pope Leo is now recovering following surgery. We ask the people of Scotland to keep the Holy Father in their thoughts and prayers in the days ahead, together with the doctors, nurses and all those caring for him. May the Lord grant Pope Leo strength, peace and healing as he begins his recovery.

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼 The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days. Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square at today’s Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it. Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops’ solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers. Bishop Keenan said: “We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world. “At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem. “On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support. “We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery. “May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead.”