Pope Leo XIV Begins South America Tour After Lung Surgery

Pope Leo XIV has begun a 12-day tour of South America with a visit to Uruguay, three weeks after undergoing surgery for a tumor on his right lung.

The 71-year-old pontiff arrived in Montevideo, where he was welcomed by Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi. Speaking to reporters on the plane, Leo said he was in “fairly good shape” after the operation.

He also offered reassurance to people facing cancer diagnoses, advising them “not to be afraid.” Reflecting on his own treatment, the pope said it had made him think about people who lack the means to obtain a timely diagnosis or receive medical care.

Healthcare and social concerns

During his first engagements in Uruguay, Leo addressed the country’s suicide rates, which have been described as among the highest in the world. He called the situation “painful” and appealed for healthcare to be “accessible to everyone.”

The pope also called for the protection of the unborn. His comments came during a visit to a country that differs from the Catholic Church on issues including same-sex marriage, abortion and euthanasia.

Leo praised Uruguay’s progress in greening its economy, which runs mainly on renewable energy. The pontiff is described as a committed environmentalist and said he was bringing a message of “hope” to what he called the world’s most Catholic continent.

Uruguay itinerary

Leo was scheduled to celebrate Mass in a park in Paysandu, where about 30,000 pilgrims were expected. In Montevideo, his itinerary included visits to Casavalle and the Catholic University, as well as a prayer vigil at the Centenario Stadium expected to draw 60,000 people.

The visit is the first papal trip to Uruguay in nearly four decades.

After Uruguay, Leo was scheduled to travel to Argentina on Sunday before continuing to Peru. His Peruvian itinerary includes Callao, Cusco, the Amazon rainforest and Chiclayo, the former diocese where he spent part of his ministry. He was also expected to have supper with priests from the diocese and privately visit a chapel he helped rebuild.

Links to Peru

Leo spent nearly two decades as a missionary in Peru and has described the country as one of his many homes. He is the Catholic Church’s first US-born pope and a Peruvian citizen.

US-based Vatican expert Christopher White described the tour as a kind of double homecoming, noting that Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, never returned to his homeland during his papacy.

The South America trip is Leo’s sixth international tour and combines public appearances, religious services and visits to locations connected with his previous ministry.