King Charles to Send Pope Leo Private Well-Wishes

King Charles is writing privately to Pope Leo to send well-wishes after the Vatican announced that the pontiff had lung cancer and had undergone successful surgery, according to reports of the King’s intention. The Vatican said the planned operation removed a lung nodule; one report specified that surgeons removed the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. The King’s message was reported as an intention to write, not as a letter confirmed to have been sent. The Vatican’s announcement of the diagnosis and surgery was the basis for both reports. The Pope is 71, according to one account. The Vatican cancelled the Pope’s audiences through October 20, one report said. It also reported that Pope Leo spent a calm night at Gemelli Hospital in Rome after surgery. The Vatican had not, in the material available, announced whether further audiences would be cancelled. Archbishop Richard Moth, the Catholic leader in England and Wales, urged people to pray for the Pope’s recovery. He said the confirmation that surgery had succeeded brought gratitude and relief, and asked that the Pope be restored to full health after rest and recuperation.