Francisco Guarner, President of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA), has called on Catholics, Jesuit alumni, people of all faiths, and all people of goodwill around the world to unite in solidarity, hope, and prayer for Pope Leo XIV following reports concerning the Pope’s health.
Guarner conveyed the appeal in an official WUJA statement posted on the organization’s official Instagram account, @wuja.official, on Thursday, October 15, 2026. According to the posting information visible when this article was prepared at 2:11 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), the statement had been published approximately 11 hours earlier.
In his statement, Guarner said the appeal was an expression of global solidarity and concern for Pope Leo XIV during the difficult circumstances he was facing.
Guarner invited people around the world to stand with the Pope through prayer and compassionate support. He emphasized that the appeal was addressed not only to the Catholic community and Jesuit alumni worldwide, but also to people of different faiths, spiritual traditions, and all people of goodwill.
“In the spirit of the Ignatian tradition—which calls us to build bridges across diverse faith traditions, cultures, and nations—we invite people of all religious beliefs, spiritual paths, and all people of goodwill around the world to join us in solidarity, prayer, and loving support for His Holiness,” Guarner said in his statement.
Guarner also reaffirmed WUJA’s commitment to and closeness with Pope Leo XIV. According to Guarner, the Pope’s dedication to peace, human dignity, justice, and interreligious dialogue continues to inspire people around the world.
He called on the international community to keep Pope Leo XIV in their thoughts, prayers, and intentions. Guarner expressed his hope that the Pope would receive spiritual consolation, inner strength, and healing amid the situation he was facing.
Guarner also expressed his hope that the medical team caring for the Pope would carry out its duties with wisdom and compassion.
Solidarity in the Ignatian Spirit
Guarner presented interfaith solidarity as an important expression of the Ignatian tradition. According to Guarner, this spirit encourages people to build bridges across differences in religion, culture, and nationality.
Guarner called on people around the world to put these values into practice through concrete acts of prayer, concern, and support for Pope Leo XIV. He welcomed participation from everyone, emphasizing that the appeal was not limited to Catholics.
Through the statement, Guarner also underscored that care for others can serve as common ground for people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and spiritual traditions.
Guarner concluded his message with the words, “United in hope and shared spirit.” The phrase underscores his appeal for the international community to unite in hope and prayer for Pope Leo XIV in a spirit of universal fraternity.
The statement was issued by Guarner in his capacity as President of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA), a worldwide organization of Jesuit alumni. Through this appeal, Guarner invited people of different faiths and spiritual traditions to demonstrate how solidarity, hope, and compassion can unite people across their differences.
