Pope Leo to Tour Three South American Nations After Lung Surgery

The Vatican confirmed on Friday that Pope Leo will proceed with his South American tour as scheduled. The 71-year-old pontiff is set to visit 10 cities across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from 6 to 17 November. This itinerary follows a successful surgery in Rome on 13 October to remove a tumour from the lower part of his right lung.

Pope Leo announced the diagnosis to the public on 11 October during his weekly prayers in St Peter's Square. He told the crowd that doctors had found a nodule on his lung that was well-contained and caught at an early stage. The surgery lasted 90 minutes, and the Pope was discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on 17 October. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, stated that the cancer was localised and that there were no clinical reasons to postpone the trip. Margaritora described the Pope's clinical condition as absolutely satisfactory.

The papal tour will begin in Uruguay on 8 November. The Pope will visit the capital, Montevideo, along with other key cities in the country. From 11 to 17 November, he will travel to Argentina, with stops including the capital, Buenos Aires. The final leg of the journey takes him to Peru, where roughly 76% of the population identifies as Catholic. He will spend six days in the country, visiting Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa.

The Vatican noted that the Pope is looking forward to the journey with great joy and enthusiasm. He said, "I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I've experienced so many moments of my life." Peru's Cardinal Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, said the trip would include meetings with young people, women who run community kitchens, and members of indigenous communities. The archbishop pointed out the Pope's close ties to Chiclayo, where he lived for several years. Leo holds Peruvian citizenship.

The Pope's connection to Peru dates back to 1985, when he was 30 years old. The Catholic Church sent him there as a missionary. He joined the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, in the Piura department, and moved to the mission in Trujillo the following year. He worked between the United States and Peru for nearly three decades. Since his operation, the Pope has been resting and gradually resuming his work. He is adjusting his daily schedule in consultation with his doctors to prioritise his recovery while continuing his ministry.

The Vatican announced that the Pope expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and affection received from around the world. In a separate decision, the Vatican stated that Leo would cancel a planned trip to Assisi on 27 October. This cancellation came on the recommendation of his doctors. The Pope is scheduled to depart for South America on 6 November, with the first official visit beginning in Uruguay on 8 November.