Former President Donald Trump conveyed his best wishes to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, following the pontiff's recent diagnosis of lung cancer. Trump also shared that he maintains a friendship with the Pope's brother, whom he characterized as a fervent supporter.
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One as he journeyed from Arizona to Montana, Trump expressed a hopeful outlook regarding the 71-year-old pontiff's recuperation after a surgical procedure to remove a portion of his right lung.
"I want to see Pope Leo get well. I hear the prognosis for that type of a problem. It's a cancer. It's big stuff. Anytime you have cancer. But the prognosis seems to be good, I've watched. And we just want to wish him our love and our best wishes."
Trump then elaborated on his personal connection with the Pope's brother and his spouse, describing them as enthusiastic proponents of his political movement.
"His brother is a friend of mine, who's a great — he's a fantastic guy — and his wife. You know, they're big Trump supporters. They have MAGA all over their house," Trump continued. "And I can say that his brother loves him a lot. Loves the pope a lot, and that's good, but I just want to wish him well. Get better fast."
Vatican Confirms Diagnosis and Surgical Procedure
The former president's comments came a day after the Vatican officially announced that Pope Leo XIV had been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, a specific type of lung cancer. This confirmation followed surgery performed at Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome.
According to information released by the Holy See Press Office, medical professionals successfully removed the lower lobe of the pontiff's right lung. The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes, and no complications were reported by the medical team.
The Vatican further stated that the cancer diagnosis was definitively established through a microscopic examination of tissue samples collected during the surgery. These findings were consistent with the results of diagnostic tests conducted prior to the operation.
Pope Leo XIV had previously disclosed that physicians had detected a small, early-stage lump in his lung and had recommended surgical intervention. Following the operation, the pontiff reportedly awoke without issues and returned to his hospital room after a brief period of observation, as confirmed by the Vatican.
