Pope Leo to tour South America

Pope Leo will proceed with his scheduled trip to South America this month. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the 71-year-old leader will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru as planned. This decision follows his recent surgery for lung cancer in Rome.

The pope underwent a 90-minute procedure on October 13 to remove a tumor from his right lung. Surgeons at Rome's Gemelli hospital described the condition as localized. He was discharged from the hospital on October 17. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, stated that the pope is in an absolutely satisfactory clinical condition. Margaritora said there are no clinical reasons to cancel the journey.

The tour spans 10 cities over a 12-day period. It begins in Uruguay on November 6. The pope will visit Montevideo and other key cities there. He will move to Argentina from November 11 to 17, including a stop in Buenos Aires. The final leg of the trip takes place in Peru. He will spend six days there visiting Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa. Roughly 76% of Peru's population identifies as Catholic.

The Vatican said the pope looks forward to the trip with great joy and enthusiasm. He noted that he is eager to return to the continent where he has experienced so many moments of his life. The Vatican also announced that the pope will cancel a planned visit to Assisi on October 27. Doctors advised this change to prioritize his recovery while he continues his ministry.

Leo has deep personal ties to Peru. He holds Peruvian citizenship and lived there for several years. In 1985, the Catholic Church sent him to Peru as a missionary at age 30. He joined an Augustinian mission in Chulucanas. The following year, he moved to a mission in Trujillo. For nearly three decades, he worked between the United States and Peru. Cardinal Ricardo Urrutia, the Archbishop of Lima, said the trip will involve young people and members of indigenous communities.

The pope first announced the lung nodule to the public on October 11. He told a crowd in St. Peter's Square that doctors had found a growth that was well contained and caught at an early stage. Since the operation, he has been resting and gradually resuming his work. The Vatican said he is adjusting his daily schedule in consultation with his doctors to balance recovery with his duties.