The elder brother of Pope Leo XIV is also undergoing cancer treatment, with his wife saying the family is trying to remain hopeful as both men face health challenges.
Deborah Prevost, wife of Louis Prevost, told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, on Tuesday that her husband has multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The extent of the disease remains unclear.
Louis was first diagnosed in 2017 and received treatment in 2019. However, his cancer reportedly returned after he fell out of remission three months ago. He is currently receiving treatment through a clinical trial at a hospital in Florida, where the couple live.
“We’re going through a lot,” Deborah said, adding that the family was “keeping spirits up for both of them”.
Louis also confirmed his diagnosis in an interview with US news outlet Newsmax, saying he was undergoing CAR-T cell therapy, a treatment that modifies a patient’s immune cells to recognise and attack cancer cells.
He said it was a shock to learn that his younger brother, Pope Leo, had also been diagnosed with cancer.
Louis said he received a message confirming that the Pope had come out of surgery, was awake and was not in pain.
“So, we were all in high hopes and high spirits hoping for the best,” he said.
Deborah added that the brothers spoke last week as Louis prepared to go to hospital.
The Pope, 71, underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday after a nodule was discovered in his lung during a medical check-up.
The Vatican later confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that commonly develops in the outer part of the lung. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung during the procedure.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said in a medical bulletin, adding that the Pope woke up normally and returned to his room after a brief period of observation.
The Vatican said on Wednesday that the pontiff had spent a peaceful night in hospital. He is expected to remain there for about a week.
Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells in the bone marrow and can damage bones and kidneys. Although it is not currently considered curable, treatment advances have improved survival rates.
The outlook for lung adenocarcinoma depends on factors including the stage of the disease and the patient’s general health. Early detection can improve treatment outcomes.
The Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the first US-born leader of the Catholic Church.
