Pope Leo to Visit 10 Cities in South America After Lung Cancer Removal
The 71-year-old pontiff will proceed with his tour of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru on November 6, just two weeks after surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Pope Leo will proceed with his ten-city tour of South America starting November 6, the Vatican confirmed on Friday. The 71-year-old pontiff is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, following a successful lung cancer surgery in October.
He underwent the procedure in Rome on October 13 to remove a tumor from the lower part of his right lung. Dr. Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon, stated that the pope is in an absolutely satisfactory clinical condition with no clinical reasons to cancel the trip. Tests confirmed the cancer was localized.
The itinerary begins in Uruguay on November 8, where the pope will visit Montevideo and other key cities. He will then move to Argentina from November 11 to 17, including a stop in Buenos Aires. The final leg of the journey takes him to Peru for six days, with visits planned for Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa.
The trip is particularly personal for the pope, who holds Peruvian citizenship and lived there for several years. The Catholic Church sent him to Peru as a missionary in 1985 when he was 30. He joined the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas and later in Trujillo, working between the United States and Peru for nearly three decades. Cardinal Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, noted that the visit will engage young people, women running community kitchens, and indigenous communities.
The pope announced his surgery to the world on October 11 during his weekly prayers in St. Peter’s Square. He described the growth as well-contained and caught at an early stage. The operation lasted 90 minutes, and he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on October 17. Since then, he has been resting and gradually resuming his duties while adjusting his schedule in consultation with his doctors.
The Vatican stated that the pope looks forward to the journey with great joy and enthusiasm. He is returning to the continent where he has experienced many moments of his life. On Friday, the Vatican also announced that he would cancel a planned trip to Assisi on October 27 on the recommendation of his medical team.
