Pope Leo XIV Begins 12-Day Tour of Latin America
Three weeks after lung cancer surgery, the 71-year-old pontiff travels to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru for a 31,000-kilometer itinerary.
By Sergio Ramirez ·
Pope Leo XIV departed for Uruguay on Friday to begin a 12-day visit to three Latin American countries. The itinerary spans Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, covering a distance of 31,000 kilometers or 19,000 miles. This marks the longest and most distant trip of his pontificate, which includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides.
The journey takes place three weeks after the pope underwent surgery on October 13 to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. Vatican health officials stated that he does not require additional treatment. They confirmed that his medical condition did not prevent him from traveling between November 6 and November 17. The Vatican said no special medical provisions are planned for the trip, even though the pope will visit Cusco, Peru, at an altitude of 3,400 meters.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, noted that the surgery is a curative procedure rather than a permanent condition. Maria Montserrat Alvarado, the new head of Vatican communications, said the pope confirmed the trip personally without changes. She added that Leo XIV is eager to return to Peru, where he lived for two decades as a missionary priest. He served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 before moving to Rome.
The visit to Peru carries personal weight for the pope, who was born in the United States and holds Peruvian citizenship. He told regional bishops in September that his time in Peru helped him understand what it means to be a pastor. Alvarado expects the pope to speak spontaneously in Spanish during the visit, similar to his behavior in Spain in June. She described him as relaxed and happy when in familiar surroundings.
In Argentina, the pope visits the homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who never returned to the country during his 13-year pontificate. Guzman Carriquiry, a former head of the Vatican commission for Latin America, said Leo XIV is filling a void left by Francis. The Argentine segment of the trip may face political tension due to President Javier Milei, who previously described Francis as a representative of evil on Earth. Leo Guardado, a theology professor at Fordham University, expects the pope to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity.
The tour began in Uruguay, described as the most secular country in Latin America. The nation has a population of 3.5 million, with only one-third identifying as Catholic. Uruguay was the first country in the region to approve assisted dying legislation despite Catholic Church opposition. Alvarado said the visit aims to reconnect with the country's colonial Catholic roots. She stated that the message for non-believers is to reconsider their faith.
