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Pope Leo XIV Begins South American Tour Post-Surgery

Updated 10:46 PM ET · 5:06 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV has started a 12-day tour of South America, beginning in Uruguay, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery.

Peru gets ready to welcome Pope Leo XIV on his South America tour • FRANCE 24 English. FRANCE 24 English

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday to begin an 12-day tour of South America, less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pope, who had his surgery three weeks ago, expressed confidence in his recovery and emphasized the importance of universal healthcare.

Leo XIV, the first American pope, began his journey by departing Rome on Friday morning, flying for 13.5 hours to Montevideo, Uruguay. He addressed reporters aboard the papal plane, stating, 'I confess that from the first day, I had no doubt and was convinced that this trip had to go forward.'

In his first Mass in South America, Pope Leo XIV urged an estimated 40,000 people in Uruguay to build bridges of fraternity and faith. He also reflected on his own challenges with fighting lung cancer and the 'many men and women who lack the means' for a timely diagnosis.

The pope's visit to Uruguay, the least Catholic and most secular country in Latin America, was marked by a large crowd of 40,000 people, the largest gathering of Leo's papacy to date. He addressed the country's high suicide rates, which are the highest in Latin America, and appealed for healthcare to be accessible to everyone.

The Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that the pope considers the tour a 'homecoming to places where he spent a long time and to which he feels closely connected.' Bruni also confirmed that the program remains intact and that the pope is enthusiastic about the journey.

Pope Leo XIV also reminded the state's responsibility to care for its people, young and old, a veiled reference to Uruguay’s abortion policy and the 2025 legalisation of assisted dying, both of which run counter to Catholic teaching.

Leo XIV's trip to South America is one of the most grueling undertaken by a Catholic leader in decades, with 14 flights planned over the 12-day period, bringing the pope to a new destination nearly every day.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Uruguay as he begins a 12-day tour of South America, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery that had put the entire trip into question.
• The pope also reminded that the state should care for its people, young and old – a veiled reference to Uruguay’s abortion policy, which was decriminalised in 2012, and the 2025 legalisation of assisted dying, both of which run counter to Catholic teaching.
• Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay, where he will celebrate a Mass on Saturday, as he began a 12-day tour of South America in "fairly good shape."
• Speaking in a half-empty Plaza Independencia, after being welcomed by left-wing President Yamandu Orsi, the pope lamented Uruguay's high suicide rates -- among the highest in the world -- and appealed for healthcare to be "accessible to everyone."
• ROME -- Three weeks after lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV opened a three-nation tour of Latin America on Friday by declaring he felt better than he looked and crediting God, good doctors and his healthy lifestyle with his quick recovery.
• The 71-year-old pope arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, Latin America’s most secular country, after a 13 1/2-hour flight from Rome during which he acknowledged “some people” had doubted whether he could make the gruelling, 12-day trip at all.
• Pope Leo XIV departs from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, for Montevideo, Uruguay, at the start of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America, Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.

What's still developing

• Pope Francis — who died in April 2025 — was born in Buenos Aires and never once returned to his homeland during his entire pontificate, a conspicuous absence that defined part of his legacy.
• Pope Leo XIV attends a welcome ceremony with Uruguay's President Yamandú Orsi, left, at Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, on the first day of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America, Friday, Nov.
• At 6:15 p.m., the pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, at his residence at the Edificio José Artigas.
• The Vatican press office said the pope's recovery continues to progress in line with favorable assessments from his medical team.
• Photos of the Week: Diwali, Pope Leo in South America Photos of the Week: Diwali, Pope Leo in South America - Religion News Service Photos of the Week: Diwali, Pope Leo in South America By Kit Doyle · November 10, 2026 --> (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world.
• Pope Leo XIV arrives to preside over a Mass at Monumento de los EspaÒoles in Buenos Aires, on the fourth day of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America, Monday, Nov.
• Andrew Medichini - AP As featured on Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Latin America, in photos Pope Leo XIV returns to Latin America where he spent two decades as a missionary priest and learned to be a pastor.
• A vendor sells scarves featuring Pope Leo XIV's image ahead of his arrival in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov.

Sources

• AFPlink
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• Archdiocese of Miamilink
• BBClink
• Capital FM Africalink
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• Decatur Dailylink
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• OSV Newslink
• Religion News Servicelink
• Vatican Newslink
• FRANCE 24 English — video link
• CBS Chicago — video link
• EWTN News — video link
• FOX 32 Chicago — video link
• CBS 8 San Diego — video link