Shropshire MP wishes Pope a speedy recovery

A Shropshire MP has wished Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery following his recent diagnosis with lung cancer.

Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin, had met with the Pontiff at the Vatican earlier this year while attending a nearby peace and security conference.

“I join all of Shropshire’s Catholics and Christians, and all well-meaning people, in wishing Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery after the Pontiff’s recent cancer diagnosis and surgery,” he said.

It was revealed this week that the Pope had been diagnosed with lung cancer, but had a successful surgery to remove part of his right lung, the Vatican has confirmed.

The Pope, 71, underwent a 90-minute surgery on Tuesday at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he is expected to stay for about a week.