Havana.— The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, sent a message of encouragement and good wishes to Pope Leo XIV, who is set to undergo lung surgery in the coming days, according to the Vatican.
Via his official account on the social network X, the Cuban leader wrote: "Your Holiness: We wish you success in your surgery and pray for your swift and full recovery. The people of Cuba keep you in their thoughts and stand with you in respect and appreciation. Please accept the assurance of my highest regard and esteem."
According to the Holy See, the 71-year-old Pontiff was diagnosed with pulmonary nodules in a "very early and clearly localized" stage, leading doctors to recommend the preventive removal of the affected tissue. The surgery will take place at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, with a recovery period of approximately one week expected.
The presidential message joins the numerous expressions of solidarity that have reached the Vatican from around the world following the news of the Pope's surgery.