By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
United States President Donald Trump has expressed his wish for Pope Leo XIV to recover quickly after the pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung in Rome.
“I want to see Pope Leo get well,” Trump told reporters on Wednesday, October 14, following a campaign rally in Arizona. He added that the prognosis appeared encouraging and said he wanted to wish the Pope 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.”
Trump’s remarks came a day after the Vatican confirmed that the 71-year-old pontiff had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, following surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
According to the Vatican, the operation involved removing the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. The procedure was completed successfully without complications, although doctors were awaiting further test results to establish whether the disease had spread to nearby lymph nodes.
The Vatican said on Thursday that Pope Leo had spent a good night in hospital and eaten breakfast as his recovery continued. Blood tests and a chest X-ray conducted on Wednesday reportedly showed normal post-operative results.
The medical team has not disclosed the tumour’s size or provided a final assessment of the cancer’s spread. The results of further examinations are expected to help doctors determine the next steps in his treatment.
The Pope’s public engagements have been cancelled until October 20 as he recovers. His planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17 remains on the Vatican’s schedule, although the timing could change depending on his progress.
Trump’s message represents a public expression of goodwill amid a relationship that has included disagreements over immigration, US foreign policy and the treatment of migrants.
Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has called for greater respect for migrants and criticised aspects of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Trump, in turn, has previously criticised the pontiff’s positions on crime and foreign policy.
Despite those differences, Trump told reporters he wanted the Pope to recover and also spoke warmly about the pontiff’s brother, Louis Prevost, whom he described as a friend.
Messages of support have also come from other public figures, including US Vice President JD Vance, who said millions of American Christians were thinking of the Pope as he recovered.
Pope Leo’s health has drawn international attention because of his active public schedule and the relatively early stage of his papacy, which began in May 2025. For now, the Vatican says his recovery is progressing as expected, while doctors await further findings to determine the outlook for his treatment.