Pope Leo XIV arrives in Uruguay at start of South American tour less than a month after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV embarked on a three-nation tour of Latin America on Friday, three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery. At the age of 71, the Pope arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, Latin America's most secular country, after a 13 1/2-hour flight from Rome. Despite doubts about his ability to complete the 12-day trip, the Pope confidently stated that he had no second thoughts and was convinced the journey should proceed.

Crowds gathered in Montevideo to greet him, with an estimated 30,000 people lining the streets to watch him arrive and attend his first event. The Pope, in fine spirits, delivered a speech praising Uruguay's development while gently addressing its Catholic heritage and calling for the country's 3.5 million Catholics to confront modern challenges in line with the Church's teachings.

He emphasized the state's responsibility to care for its people, including young and old, and criticized Uruguay's permissive abortion policies and 2025 legalization of assisted dying. The Pope's visit to Uruguay, a country with deep secular roots, is considered significant as he travels to address the Catholic Church's influence in the region.