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Pope Leo XIV Begins 12-Day South American Tour Post-Surgery
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV has commenced a 12-day tour of South America, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Uruguay, marking the start of an 12-day tour of South America, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The trip had been in question due to his health, but the Vatican confirmed he was fit for travel following medical evaluations.
The pope's visit to Uruguay included a welcome ceremony with President Yamandú Orsi at Plaza Independencia in Montevideo. Leo emphasized the responsibility of ensuring that every person can live with dignity and receive the care they need, a veiled reference to Uruguay’s policies on abortion and assisted dying, which conflict with Catholic teachings.
Leo’s visit to South America is significant as it marks the first time a pope from the Americas has returned to his homeland during his pontificate. Pope Francis, who died in April 2025, never returned to Argentina during his papacy.
The Vatican press office reported that the pope's recovery continues to progress favorably, with his medical team giving him the green light for the trip.
What this adds
On Pope Leo XIV's intention to embark on a South American tour post-surgery.
Background
Pope Leo XIV has started an 12-day tour of South America, beginning in Uruguay, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV has started an 12-day tour of South America, beginning in Uruguay, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
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.
What's still developing
- Or had Emperor Palpatine arrived to tell the pope, “ Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side ”?
- In a joint statement released by the Vatican that morning, the pope's personal physician, Dr. Luigi Carbone, and chief surgeon Dr. Stefano Margaritora said, "Based on the blood tests and chest X-ray performed this morning, and after evaluating his clinical condition, the Holy Father has been deemed fit for discharge."
- (The Conversation) — Pope Leo XIV travels to Latin America on Nov.
- Motoko Rich, the Rome bureau chief, is traveling with Pope Leo XIV through Latin America.
- According to the announcement, the pope will begin his journey by departing Rome on Nov.
- 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.
- 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.