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Pope Leo’s brother: “We just didn’t come from a family of ‘I quit’”
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born head of the Catholic Church, is recovering after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
Pope Leo XIV, 71, is recuperating at Gemelli Hospital in Rome following a successful lung cancer surgery on October 13. Doctors at the hospital reported that the Pope was in high spirits and had resumed some of his official duties, including saying Mass.
Louis Prevost, Pope Leo's brother, told OSV News on October 16 that he and his wife, Deborah, would have been in Rome to support their brother if not for their own health issues. Deborah Prevost revealed to CBS News that her husband is also undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.
Deborah Prevost said, 'He called to let us know what would be happening,' indicating that the Pope had informed his family about his medical condition. She added that the family is 'going through a lot' but are 'keeping spirits up for both of them.'
President Donald Trump expressed his best wishes for Pope Leo's recovery, noting his friendship with the pontiff's brother. Trump said, 'I wanna see Pope Leo get well. I hear the prognosis for that type of a problem — it’s cancer, it’s big stuff anytime you have cancer — but the prognosis seems to be good.'
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, who performed the surgery, cleared the Pope to proceed with his apostolic journey to South America in November. The Pope himself stated in his Angelus address, 'Having overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will now gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.'
Louis Prevost, speaking to Newsmax's America Right Now, said, 'We were just talking a little bit ago, and he’s doing fine. He’s in high spirits. He was saying Mass. He’s resumed some of his official duties as Pope.'
The Pope's condition was also monitored closely by Vice President JD Vance, who noted that Louis Prevost was battling cancer in an October 14 post on X, praying for the 'good health and full recovery of Pope Leo XIV.'
A new documentary, 'Pétros Ení — Discovering the Origins,' is scheduled to be released in theaters in February 2027, bringing Pope Leo XIV and Hollywood actor Chris Pratt together to explore the history and archaeological discoveries surrounding the tomb of St. Peter at the Vatican.
The Pope's family and friends have been sending messages of support and prayers. Louis Prevost said, 'And all the prayers from my own family and the messages that I get from friends and people that I have never met that say ‘We’re praying for you.'
The Pope's brother and his wife are also undergoing cancer treatments, highlighting the shared struggles within the family.
In a recent interview, President Trump commented, 'His brother’s a friend of mine,' and shared a heartfelt message for Pope Leo, emphasizing their friendship and support during this challenging time.
What this adds
The Pope's recovery and the support from his family and friends highlight the broader impact of his health on the Catholic community and beyond.
What's confirmed
- The same day, Dr. Stefano Margaritora, who operated on Pope Leo on Oct. 13 at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, cleared the pope to proceed with his apostolic journey to South America in November.
- President Donald Trump offered Pope Leo XIV his “best wishes” and “love” in a short interview with reporters Oct. 14, the day after the pope’s doctors announced that the pope had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
- Shortly after the announcement of Pope Leo’s cancer diagnosis, Louis Prevost’s wife, Deborah, revealed to CBS News that her husband is being treated for multiple myeloma.
- She said he “fell out of remission” three months ago.
- “He called to let us know what would be happening,” she said.
- “Every time I talked to him or texted him [during his hospitalization], he was answering,” Prevost said.
What's still developing
- Launched in 2013, Aleteia is a free online daily news publication.
- The Pope, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, underwent a 90-minute surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma - a type of cancer usually found in the outer part of the organ.
- Her comments came on the same day that Pope Leo, 71 - the first US-born head of the Catholic Church - underwent what the Vatican described as "successful" surgery for lung cancer.
- "After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room."
- The Pope announced on Sunday he would be operated on "in the coming days" after a nodule was found on his lung during a medical check-up.
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