A WEST Belfast parish enjoyed one of the last Papal Audiences with Pope Leo before he undergoes surgery to remove a nodule on his lung. 

The Pope announced on Sunday that doctors had discovered the nodule during a medical examinations and believed he should have surgery to remove it.

Pilgrims from St Michael the Archangel Parish were among those whom attended the Papal Audience by Pope Leo in St Peter's Square last Wednesday. The group were on a pilgrimage to visit the tomb of Pope Francis in the Basilica of St Mary Major.

Fr Ciarán Feeney, parish priest and pilgrimage director, said it was an amazing experience to see the Pope up close and to receive his blessing on behalf of everyone at St Michael the Archangel Parish.

"We are grateful to have encountered the Holy Father as we celebrate fifty years of faith as our parish began in 1976, five years after the church was erected.

"We are praying for Pope Leo, for his healing and restoration. We were struck by his gracious words about helping others to respond to the profound questions of life and to be effective in faith and charity," said Fr Feeney.

Elaine Kelly, a faith development worker at St Michael's, praised the Pope's "serene presence", and said that seeing him was a highlight of the pilgrimage.

"He welcomed all the pilgrims with such warmth," she said, "Especially those from Scotland, England and Ireland. We gave out a great cheer!"

Thirty-three pilgrims from the West Belfast Parish spent five days in Rome visiting holy places, including those associated with St Michael. 

"I have been to Rome several times," said Fr Feeney, "but this was an extraordinary pilgrimage. Our guide shared many of the secrets of Rome, the hidden treasures that we often pass by without noticing."

"Our parish will continue to pray for the Pope's recovery and his intentions."