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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Laura Bargfeld and Luis Andres Henao

Chicago Catholics rally for prayer in Pope Leo’s hometown after his lung cancer diagnosis

US Pope Leo Cancer Reactions - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Gail Spreen goes most days to Mass just a few blocks from her home in Chicago, but the service at Holy Name Cathedral on Wednesday — dedicated to Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV — felt different.

“Knowing that everybody is behind him, it was very special to be there today," Spreen said. "The church was full and everybody was praying. You could just see all those prayers going up and being received.”

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