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Pope Leo XIV Confirms Latin America Trip After Lung Surgery
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV confirmed he will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru as scheduled, beginning his trip next week following a successful lung surgery in mid-October.
Pope Leo XIV confirmed he will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru as scheduled, beginning his trip next week following a successful lung surgery in mid-October. The pontiff will stay in Uruguay until November 8, then travel to Argentina from November 8-11, and finally visit Peru from November 11-17.
The Vatican stated that the pontiff’s recovery is progressing well, with no clinical reasons preventing him from undertaking the journey. Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy and enthusiasm for returning to the continent where he lived for many years and served as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023.
During his stay in Argentina, the pope will lead large-scale masses in Buenos Aires City, Luján, and Córdoba. He will also meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse during his trip, as announced by the Vatican.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed that the Nov. 6-17, 2026, apostolic journey will proceed according to the previously published program. Pope Leo XIV’s flight from Rome to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is expected to last close to 13 hours.
The Vatican’s statement said the Pope’s journey will “offer opportunities to strengthen the bonds of communion” with the local churches and “bring a message of faith, hope, and peace to the peoples of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to the medical team and the faithful, stating, 'It was detected at a very early stage and is well-defined.' He also emphasized his desire to travel to the Marian shrines of Fátima in Portugal and Guadalupe in Mexico.
The head of Argentina’s episcopal conference noted that the pope comes as a pastor and as Peter’s successor, not as a political actor, ahead of Leo XIV’s trip to South America.
Bishops’ conferences across Latin America urged prayers for the health of Pope Leo XIV, whose visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru remains significant after his surgery.
Background
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17, 2026, after doctors cleared him for travel following lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV has undergone successful surgery to remove a localized nodule from his lung, clearing a health hurdle for his upcoming trip to Latin America.
What's confirmed
- “As previously reported, the surgical procedure was successful and without complications. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed that the condition was localized and that no further oncological treatment is necessary,” it added.
- Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 6.
- The Holy See Press Office confirmed that the Nov. 6-17, 2026 apostolic journey will proceed according to the previously published program.
- The Vatican said the visit will provide an opportunity for the pope to strengthen ties with local churches, encourage the faithful and promote a message of faith, hope and peace in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
- From there, he will travel to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
- Argentina (OSV News) — Bishops’ conferences across Latin America urged prayers for the health of Pope Leo XIV, whose visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru remains uncertain after he underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
- The Vatican has published the schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Latin America, where he will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6–17.
What's still developing
- Pope Leo has gradually resumed his activities while adjusting his daily schedule in consultation with his doctors “to prioritize his recovery while continuing to fulfill the responsibilities of his ministry,” also taking time to rest.
- Last week, Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who operated on the pope, said there were “no clinical reasons” why he wouldn’t be able to travel, and estimated him to recover within 10 days after the operation.
- Preparations continued normally in the three countries that will welcome him in the upcoming weeks, as the pope reappeared in public to lead religious services at St.
- While the pontiff’s agenda remained unchanged after his procedure on October 13, the Holy See had not formally confirmed he would be able to take on the journey previously scheduled for November 6-17.
- The pope said the removal surgery is planned in the “coming days."
- Pope Francis, in a message in 2013 for the priest’s beatification — a ceremony scheduled before the Argentine pope was elected — said Father Brochero “did not stay in the sacristy combing the sheep,” but went out in search of the lost.
- According to the Holy See Press Office, the Pope wants not only to stand alongside survivors but also to help develop accessible paths toward healing and ensure that the Church becomes a safe and spiritually healthy environment in which the Gospel can be lived and proclaimed.
- “May she shelter him beneath her mantle, strengthen him during this time of trial, and grant him serenity and solace.” Pope Leo is still scheduled to arrive in Uruguay on Nov.