US President Donald Trump has wished Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery after the pontiff underwent surgery in Rome to remove a cancerous tumour from his lung.
Trump spoke on Wednesday after addressing a campaign rally in Arizona, expressing optimism about the Pope’s prognosis.
“I want to see Pope Leo get well,” Trump told reporters. “It’s big stuff. Anytime you have cancer, but the prognosis seems to be good.”
“I just want to wish him well. Get better fast,” he added.
The Pope’s doctors said on Wednesday that the 71-year-old pontiff was out of bed, walking and eating following the surgery.
He is awaiting the results of a biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Prayers and messages of support have poured in from around the world, including from Chiclayo in northern Peru, where Leo served as a bishop for eight years, and Chicago, his hometown in the United States.
Other world leaders, including Britain’s King Charles III, have also wished the pontiff well. Charles is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Earlier this year, Pope Leo said he had “great love” for the United States. However, his calls for tolerance and the protection of migrants have at times placed the Vatican at odds with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and use of detention centres.
Trump also disclosed on Wednesday that he had previously spoken with the Pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, whom he described as a friend and supporter.
“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,” the US president said.
He added that the Pope’s brother loved the pontiff, describing that as a positive development.
“His brother loves him a lot, loves the Pope a lot, and that’s good. That’s good enough for me,” Trump said.
