Pope Leo slept well after cancer surgery, but recovery could take ‘longer than expected’

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from cancer surgery could take “longer than expected,” the president of Peru warned Wednesday, as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church continued to mend at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Keiko Fujimori, in an interview on Peruvian television, said the pace of the pope’s recovery could determine whether Leo makes his week-long apostolic visit to Peru, which was supposed to start on Nov. 11.

“I want the pope to know that here in Peru, millions of us are praying for his speedy recovery,” Fujimori said. “We will also be watching for any announcements from the Vatican, because we understand that his recovery will take several weeks longer than expected and, therefore, we also understand that there could be some changes to the schedule of his visit.”

Leo, who is a Chicago native, spent more than two decades working in Peru and maintains close ties to that South American country.

Fujimori’s announcement was somewhat at odds with the Vatican’s assertion on Wednesday that the pope was recovering as expected after a surgery that saw part of his right lung removed and a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

The medical team taking care of the 71-year-old pontiff said…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world