Here’s how Trump responded to Pope Leo XIV’s cancer diagnosis
The president was asked about the diagnosis of the first American pope while answering questions at the airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he held a campaign event ahead of the midterm elections.
Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska/ Kent NISHIMURA
Donald Trump wished Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery on Wednesday after the Vatican confirmed that the pontiff has lung cancer.
The president was asked about the diagnosis of the first American pope while answering questions at the airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, where he held a campaign event ahead of the midterm elections.
"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 said regarding the health of Leo XIV.
In addition, the president took the opportunity to mention Louis Prevost, the Supreme Pontiff's older brother and a registered Republican voter: "His brother's a friend of mine who's a great, who's a fantastic guy, and his wife, you know, they're big Trump supporters. They have MAGA all over their house. And I can say that his brother loves him a lot, loves the pope a lot, and that's good. That's good enough for me. But, I just want to wish him well. Get better fast."
Leo XIV's diagnosis
According to the Cancer Center, this is the most common subtype of lung cancer. While it may not cause symptoms at first, it is often detected during tests performed for other reasons. When symptoms do appear, they include a persistent cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.
"This form of lung cancer accounts for more than 30% of all lung cancers and about half of all non-small cell lung cancers," the institute notes.
The Vatican is expected to release more information in the coming days about the treatments Leo XIV will undergo; he is scheduled to tour South America in early November. It is not yet clear whether he will be able to travel.
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