Pope Leo's Health: 12-Day South American Tour Begins After Lung Surgery
The pontiff will traverse three countries and 10 cities, facing altitude challenges and political tests in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
By Tessa Cooper ·
Thirteen flights and 10 cities await Pope Leo XIV as he begins a 12-day trip across South America. This journey marks his first major overseas visit since undergoing lung cancer surgery in October. The itinerary includes two helicopter rides and 36 speeches, covering Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
The pope arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday. He previously served as a missionary and bishop in Peru, making Uruguay an unexpected first stop. Uruguay has a population of approximately 3.5 million and is considered the most secular nation in Latin America. Fewer than one-third of residents identify as Catholic, and the state has maintained a strict separation from religion for over a century. Christmas is officially known as Family Day, while Easter week is designated as Tourism Week.
Maria Montserrat Alvar, the Vatican's new communications chief, stated that doctors are confident in the pope's health. She noted that he completed his two-week recovery period and requires no further treatment. Medical staff will accompany him on the trip. When asked why visit such a secular nation, Alvar replied, "Why Not?" adding that the Gospel is meant to go everywhere.
On Saturday, the pope will visit the Casavalle neighborhood, a working-class area north of the capital. Father Pablo Coimbra, who has led the local parish for six years, said the visit places marginalized communities at the center of attention. On Sunday, he will celebrate mass in Florida, a town known for its Catholic devotion and national pride. The date coincides with the commemoration of the Virgin of the Thirty-five, a symbol of Uruguay's independence from Brazil in 1825.
The trip continues to Argentina on Sunday. This move fulfills a wish of Pope Francis, who had hoped to return to his homeland before his death. The visit tests how Leo will navigate relations with right-wing populist leaders. Argentine President Javier Milei, who has implemented austerity measures that pushed millions into poverty, holds differing views on economic policy and artificial intelligence regulation compared to Leo's recent encyclical.
The final leg returns the pope to Peru, where he lived for two decades and became a naturalized citizen in 2015. He will meet with President Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of former dictator Alberto Fujimori. During the Fujimori era, Leo criticized military violence and supported the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The tour concludes after he visits several cities where he previously served.
Local residents in Uruguay expressed mixed feelings about the visit. Juan Martin Guerreiro, a resident of Montevideo, said he is less familiar with Leo than with his predecessor. However, he decided to attend the welcoming ceremony because Leo is South American, a fact he noted despite Leo's birth in Chicago.
