Pope Leo XIV arrives for South American tour after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XI embarked on a 12-day tour across South America, marking his first trip as the US-born pontiff. The 71-year-old, who recently underwent surgery for lung cancer, planned to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. The ambitious journey involved traveling 31,000km across 10 cities and delivering 36 speeches. Pope Leo XI, also known as Robert Francis Prevost, expressed a strong desire to strengthen faith, renew hope, and rekindle the fire of charity during the tour.

Security measures included 5,000 police officers and 1,000 soldiers to ensure a safe journey. The Pope's itinerary included visits to major sites, addressing governments, leading outdoor masses, and meeting with prison inmates. The trip aimed to address issues such as environmental destruction, arms trafficking, and regional political instability.

The Pope's visit to Latin America, where it is the largest Catholic region, was expected to energize faith and help repair its reputation after abuse scandals.