US President Donald Trump says he wants Pope Leo XIV to “get well” after the pontiff undergoes surgery in Rome this week to remove a cancerous tumor. Speaking to reporters following a campaign rally in Arizona, Trump adds that the prognosis appears positive and urges the pope to recover quickly.
Doctors in Rome report that Pope Leo is out of bed, walking and eating after the operation. He is awaiting biopsy results to determine whether the lung cancer has spread. The news prompts international prayers and well-wishes from leaders and Catholics worldwide, including other heads of state. Sources also note that Britain’s King Charles III, who is receiving treatment for cancer, has publicly prayed with the pope.
The coverage further references Trump’s past interactions and comments about the pope, including Trump saying he has spoken with the pope’s brother and that the pope’s positions—such as advocating tolerance and protections for migrants—have at times put the Vatican at odds with Trump’s immigration policies.