King Charles writes to pope after lung cancer operation

King Charles III is penning a letter to Pope Leo XIV following the Catholic leader's recent lung cancer surgery, according to a royal source. The operation involved the removal of a malignant tumor from Leo's lung, leaving the pontiff awaiting the results of subsequent tests to gauge the extent of any potential spread. Charles, who heads the Church of England, plans to convey his well wishes to the pope privately.

The two leaders previously met at the Vatican last year, marking Charles' first encounter with an American pope. During this meeting, the pair exchanged pleasantries and the king prayed alongside Leo, an event that would mark a significant milestone as it is the first time a British monarch has prayed publicly with a pope in half a millennium.

The Pope's lung operation took place on Tuesday, with tests pending to ascertain whether the cancer has metastasized. Charles is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, a condition diagnosed in early 2024. As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a position established in the 16th century following a split with the Roman Catholic Church, Charles has played a key role in the steady improvement of relations between the two entities.

However, some discord arose in 2016, particularly concerning the ordination of women, a practice prohibited by the Catholic Church. Last year, Charles became the first British monarch to join a pope in prayer publicly for five centuries, an occasion broadcast live on Vatican media.