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Pope Leo XIV's Brother Updates on Pope's Recovery
· Confirmed
In Short: Louis Prevost, the eldest brother of Pope Leo XIV, told Aleteia that his brother is recovering well from his lung cancer surgery and is in high spirits.
Prevost 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.'
Pope Leo, 71, underwent a 90-minute surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Oct. 13, where doctors performed respiratory physical therapy and cleared him for his upcoming South American trip.
Deborah Prevost, Louis's wife, told CBS News that her husband is also undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects the plasma cells in bone marrow.
Deborah said, 'He called to let us know what would be happening,' referring to the Pope's diagnosis and surgery.
President Donald Trump expressed his support for Pope Leo, stating, '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.'
Pope Leo addressed his recovery in his Angelus address, saying, 'Having overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will now gradually resume my activities, always with God’s help and your prayers.'
The Pope's brother added, 'Every time I talked to him or texted him [during his hospitalization], he was answering,' indicating the Pope's active communication with his family.
Deborah Prevost also noted, 'The family is going through a lot, but we are keeping spirits up for both of them.'
What this adds
President Trump's comments and the Pope's brother's updates provide reassurance about the Pope's recovery and the family's support.
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.
- President Trump describes his friendship with the pontiff's brother while sharing a heartfelt message for Pope Leo amid his reported cancer battle.
- President Donald Trump wished Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery Wednesday following his lung cancer diagnosis, revealing that he is friends with the pontiff's brother, whom he described as an enthusiastic MAGA supporter.
- RELATED: Chicago Students Who Held Mock Conclave Send Pope Leo XIV Care Package After Cancer Surgery “His brother’s a friend of mine,” Trump commented.
- 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."
- "I got a message from his right hand that he was out of surgery, awake, feeling good, and was in no pain," he said of the Pope's condition.
- 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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- "I hope for the generous involvement of the international community, so that our brothers and sisters may not lack the necessary assistance."