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. Trump said he hoped to see the head of the Roman Catholic Church recover soon, as the Pope sent his first message since the operation, thanking the faithful for their support.

Speaking to reporters, the US president referred to the Pope’s cancer diagnosis and surgery, expressing hope that his health would improve soon.

“I want to see Pope Leo recover,” Trump said, adding: “I just want to wish him well and wish him a speedy recovery.”

The comments came as the 71-year-old pontiff remained under medical supervision in Rome, with the Vatican assuring the public that his recovery was progressing well.

Pope’s first message: “I ask you to pray for me”

On Wednesday, 14 October, Pope Leo addressed the faithful for the first time since his surgery, sending a written message to participants in a symposium marking the tenth anniversary of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia.

The document was written by his predecessor, Pope Francis, and concerns the Catholic Church’s work to support couples and families.

“As you know, I have been unable to be among you in person these past few days,” the pontiff said, explaining his absence from the events due to his hospitalisation.

He then expressed his gratitude for the support he had received. “I thank you warmly for your prayers and for the work you have carried out together. The sharing of experiences and attentive listening are truly a gift to the whole Church,” he said.

Concluding his message, he made a personal appeal to the faithful: “I ask you, please, to pray for me, just as I pray for you.”

Lower lobe of lung removed – what doctors say

Pope Leo underwent surgery in Rome on Tuesday, 13 October, to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung. The procedure lasted approximately 90 minutes and involved the removal of the lower lobe of the lung. Doctors confirmed a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, a common form of lung cancer.

According to the medical team overseeing his treatment, his post-operative recovery is progressing as expected.

Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said in a joint statement that the pontiff’s recovery was “proceeding as expected”.

Pope Leo has already begun walking around the area where he is being treated. On Wednesday, he also attended Mass with other priests in a specially arranged room on the hospital floor, according to the Vatican’s spokesman.

Cancer detected at an early stage – family history

The pontiff had informed the faithful himself about his planned surgery during an address in St Peter’s Square the previous weekend.

He explained that doctors had detected an abnormality in his lung at an early stage, prompting the decision to proceed with surgery.

Pope Leo is not known to have smoked and has made efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, there is a history of cancer in his family. His older brother, Louis Prevost, is currently undergoing treatment for the disease, while both of their parents died of cancer in the 1990s.

Public appearances cancelled until 20 October

Following the operation and to allow time for recovery, Pope Leo has cancelled all scheduled public appearances until 20 October.

His schedule also includes a major trip to South America in November, and no changes to those plans have been announced so far.