President Donald Trump offered well wishes to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday after the pontiff’s lung cancer diagnosis. He noted his friendship with the pope’s brother, who, he mentioned, is a big supporter of his “Make America Great Again” initiative.
While on Air Force One traveling from Arizona to Montana, Trump shared his thoughts on the pope’s condition. He expressed hope for the 71-year-old’s recovery after surgery that involved removing part of his right lung. “I want to see Pope Leo get well. Cancer is serious, and any cancer diagnosis brings a cloud of concern. But the prognosis looks promising, and we just want to send him our love and best wishes,” he said.
Trump also highlighted his connection with the pope’s brother and his wife, emphasizing their support for him. “His brother is a good friend, really fantastic. They’re both strong Trump supporters, decorating their home with MAGA gear,” Trump remarked. “I can tell you, his brother cares for him deeply. So, I just want him to recover quickly.”
This statement came a day after the Vatican disclosed that Leo had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a specific type of lung cancer, after undergoing surgery at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome. The Holy See Press Office indicated that during the surgery, the doctors successfully removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung in a procedure lasting about 90 minutes, with no complications reported.
The Vatican confirmed the cancer diagnosis based on tissue samples taken during the surgery, which echoed the results of earlier tests. Pope Leo, who had previously mentioned that doctors found a small lump in his lung, had opted for surgery after it was recommended. Post-surgery, he reportedly recovered well and returned to his room following a short observation period.
