Pope begins lengthy trip to Latin America weeks after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV commenced a prolonged journey to Latin America just three weeks following his lung cancer surgery, a pilgrimage that includes a highly anticipated return to Peru, his former parish. The Vatican clarified that no special medical precautions were being implemented, classifying him as a "71-year-old who had undergone an operation" rather than someone with a "permanent medical condition."

Pope Leo disclosed in a previous statement that a tumor was identified during a routine scan; the growth was surgically removed along with the lower lobe of his right lung, and subsequent medical assessments confirmed no metastasis. During a press conference in Rome preceding the tour, which encompasses Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, a Vatican spokesperson emphasized that Pope Leo exhibited "fantastic stamina" and was "extremely enthusiastic" about his meticulously planned itinerary, which he had personally approved without alterations.

The Vatican's objective in dispatching the Pope on this mission is to signal a return to normalcy, according to Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University, who noted that the pontiff has maintained a hectic schedule since his surgery, including delivering speeches and attending audiences. Notably, Pope Leo officiated at the annual memorial Mass for cardinals and bishops who had passed away on Friday.

The 12-day expedition is anticipated to be arduous, encompassing extensive flights and extensive travel across vast distances, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains. The odyssey begins in Uruguay, where the Catholic population has dwindled significantly over the past four decades, marking Uruguay's inaugural Papal visit in four decades.

Argentina, Pope Francis' homeland, is next on the agenda. Father Fernando Laguna, rector of Santa Maria Addolorata, Rome's national church, expressed profound joy upon learning of the Pope's impending visit to Argentina, highlighting it as a tribute to his predecessor, acknowledging that the visit "filled all of our hearts with joy" and affirming that "he would go, despite his illness."

The church has been adorned with posters welcoming Pope Leo to Argentina, adorned with exuberant declarations such as "Welcome Pope Leo!" and "We're waiting for you!"