Pope Leo XIV resumes 12-day Latin American tour three weeks after lung surgery
The 71-year-old pontiff departs for Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, a journey that includes a return to the diocese where he served for nearly two decades.
By Alessia Desai ·
Pope Leo XIV has begun a 12-day itinerary across South America, leaving Rome just three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung.
The Vatican asserts that the Pope is a 71-year-old man recovering from a specific operation rather than managing a chronic medical condition. Officials stated that no special health protocols are being implemented for the tour. A Vatican spokeswoman described Leo as possessing fantastic stamina and noted that he personally confirmed the full schedule without requesting changes.
The itinerary begins in Uruguay, a country experiencing a decline in Catholic membership and hosting its first papal visit in 40 years. The Pope then travels to Argentina, the birthplace of his predecessor, Pope Francis. This stop is politically charged due to ongoing tensions between the Catholic hierarchy and President Javier Milei, who has criticized social justice doctrines associated with the papacy. Milei has welcomed Leo with immense joy, and millions are expected to line the streets.
The final leg of the trip serves as a homecoming to Peru, where Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, served as a priest and bishop for nearly 20 years. He holds Peruvian citizenship and is scheduled to return to Chiclayo, where he was ordained a bishop in 2014. The schedule also includes a Mass in Cusco at an elevation exceeding 3,000 meters and a stop in Pucallpa within the Amazon basin.
During his time in all three nations, the Pope will meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse. This focus addresses a topic that complicated Pope Francis's 2018 visit to the region. Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University stated that the trip signals a return to normalcy after a short medical episode. He observed that Leo has been active in public duties since his surgery, indicating he is in good shape.
The tour covers thousands of miles across diverse terrains, from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. It involves multiple long-haul and local flights. The Vatican characterized the Peruvian segment as a return to the Pope's roots, emphasizing his deep familiarity with the local communities and streets.
Father Fernando Laguna, rector of Argentina's national church in Rome, expressed joy at the announcement. He noted that parishioners are preparing large screens to follow the events remotely and that he never expected the Pope to cancel the trip due to his illness. The Vatican message is clear: the health scare was a temporary setback, and the papacy is moving forward.
