Pope Leo begins 12-day Latin America trip three weeks after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV is beginning a 12-day trip to Latin America, three weeks after surgery for lung cancer. The tour covers Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, including a homecoming to Peru where he served as a priest for many years.

The Vatican says no extraordinary health measures are being taken. It describes him as a "71-year-old who has undergone an operation", not someone with a "permanent medical condition". Pope Leo revealed last month that doctors found a tumour during a routine scan. It was removed along with the lower lobe of his right lung, and his medical team confirmed the cancer had not spread.

Before the trip, a spokeswoman said the Pope had "fantastic stamina" and was "extremely enthusiastic" about a schedule he had personally confirmed with no changes. Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University told the BBC the Vatican's message was "that was a short episode and now we're back on track". He said the Pope seemed in great shape after a busy return to work. On Friday, Pope Leo presided over the annual memorial Mass for cardinals and bishops who had died.

The 12-day tour is demanding, with multiple long-haul and local flights covering thousands of miles from the Amazon to the Andes. It starts in Uruguay, where Catholic numbers have fallen steeply and which is getting its first papal visit in four decades. He then goes to Argentina, homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Father Fernando Laguna, rector of Santa Maria Addolorata, Argentina's national church in Rome, said his heart was filled with joy when the visit was announced. "This visit is also a homage to Francis, who didn't make it to Argentina [as pope]," he told the BBC. The church is installing a big screen for parishioners and has posters welcoming Pope Leo.

The Argentina leg, including meetings with heads of state, could be the most politically sensitive. President Javier Milei once called Pope Francis "evil on earth" and a "communist" for promoting social justice to help the poor. Argentina's bishops have criticised Milei's austerity measures. But Milei has welcomed Pope Leo on X, saying Argentina awaits "with immense joy". Millions are expected to greet him.

The highlight is saved for last: Peru, described by the Vatican as a return to his roots. "He knows these streets," a spokeswoman said. Born in the US, the then Robert Prevost spent almost 20 years in Peru and has Peruvian citizenship. His schedule includes Chiclayo, where he was ordained bishop in 2014, Cusco for Mass more than 3,000m above sea level, and Pucallpa in the Amazon.

In all three countries, the Vatican says the Pope will meet survivors of clerical sexual abuse, an issue that clouded a 2018 visit to Chile and Peru by his predecessor. Professor Faggioli sees the trip as reconnecting the papacy with Latin America after Francis. He believes Pope Leo has a strong sense of the Americas as one continent. "Democracies are in trouble there, so there are so many things he can address," he said. He added that the big question is the United States: "There's no question he wants to go. So will he travel when [President Donald] Trump is still in office? I'm sure they're thinking about this."

Source: BBC World.