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

Pope Leo XIV has commenced a lengthy journey to Latin America, just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. This tour includes a highly anticipated return to Peru, where he once served as a priest. The Vatican maintains that no exceptional measures are being taken regarding the Pope's health, describing him as a "71-year-old who has undergone an operation" rather than someone with a "permanent medical condition."

It was the Pope himself who disclosed last month that doctors had discovered a tumor during a routine scan, which was subsequently removed along with the lower lobe of his right lung. At a press conference in Rome prior to the trip, which includes stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, a Vatican spokeswoman emphasized that Pope Leo has "fantastic stamina" and is "extremely enthusiastic" about the itinerary, which he personally confirmed without any alterations.

Vatican officials describe the Pope's return to full activities since his surgery as "back on track," highlighting his active participation in recent speeches and audiences. The 12-day itinerary is demanding, involving multiple long-haul and local flights to traverse thousands of miles, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains.

The Pope's journey begins in Uruguay, which has not hosted a Papal visit in over four decades and currently has a rapidly declining Catholic population. Argentina, the homeland of Pope Francis, the Pope's predecessor, is also on the itinerary. This visit holds significance not only for the Pope's recovery but also as a tribute to Francis, who was unable to attend due to his own commitments as Pope.

The Pope's presence in Argentina has been warmly received, with parishioners installing a large screen in a church in Rome to ensure they can follow the Pope's trip in real-time.