US President Donald Trump has wished Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery after the pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung in Rome.
Trump made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking to reporters after a campaign rally in Arizona, expressing hope that the 71-year-old Catholic leader would recover quickly.
“I want to see Pope Leo get well. It’s big stuff. Anytime you have cancer, but the prognosis seems to be good,” Trump said.
“I just want to wish him well. Get better fast,” he added.
The Vatican said the pope was recovering after the operation, with doctors reporting that he was able to get out of bed, walk and eat. He is awaiting biopsy results to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Messages of support have continued to arrive from across the world, including from Chicago, the pope’s US hometown, and Chiclayo in northern Peru, where he served as a bishop for eight years.
Britain’s King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for cancer, has joined other world figures in wishing the pontiff well.
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Trump also spoke about his relationship with the pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, describing him and his wife as strong supporters of the US president.
“His brother’s a friend of mine who’s a great, he’s a fantastic guy, and his wife. You know, they’re big Trump supporters,” he said.
“His brother loves him a lot, loves the Pope a lot, and that’s good. That’s good enough for me,” Trump added.
Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has previously expressed his affection for the United States. However, his calls for tolerance and the protection of migrants have put the Vatican at odds with the Trump administration over its immigration crackdown and the use of detention facilities.
