Pope Leo XIV begins Latin America tour after lung cancer surgery
The 12-day trip includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru following the removal of a tumour.
Pope Leo XIV is starting a 12-day trip to Latin America three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, according to BBC News. The tour includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where the Pope previously served as a priest.
The Vatican stated that no extraordinary measures are being taken regarding the Pope's health. A spokeswoman said the 71-year-old Pope has "fantastic stamina" and is "extremely enthusiastic" about the schedule, which he personally confirmed with no changes.
Last month, the Pope revealed that doctors discovered a tumour during a routine scan. Medical teams removed the growth along with the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed the cancer had not spread.
The itinerary involves multiple long-haul and local flights across the Amazon and the Andes. In Uruguay, the Pope will make his first visit in four decades, while in Argentina, he will meet with heads of state and attend religious events.
The trip includes a visit to Peru, where the Pope spent almost 20 years and holds citizenship. His schedule in Peru includes a return to the diocese of Chiclayo and a Mass in Cusco at an altitude of more than 3,000m.
The Vatican said the Pope will meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse in all three countries during the tour.
