Pope Leo to fly to South America two weeks after lung tumor removal
The 71-year-old pontiff will visit ten cities in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru beginning in November, despite recent medical procedures.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Pope Leo will depart for a three-nation tour of South America on November 6, the Vatican announced on Friday. The trip proceeds as scheduled following the pope's successful surgery to remove a lung cancer tumor.
The 71-year-old leader underwent the procedure in Rome on October 13. The operation targeted a growth on the lower part of his right lung and lasted 90 minutes. Doctors reported the cancer was localized and the tumor was well-contained at the time of discovery.
Pope Leo is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru between November 6 and 17. The itinerary includes stops in ten cities across the three countries. The Vatican stated that the pope looks forward to the journey with great joy and enthusiasm.
The tour begins in Uruguay on November 8, with visits to Montevideo and other key cities. He will move to Argentina from November 11 to 17, including a stop in Buenos Aires. The final leg takes him to Peru, where approximately 76 percent of the population identifies as Catholic. Stops in Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa are planned for the six-day stay.
Cardinal Carlos Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, said the visit will engage young people, women who operate community kitchens, and members of indigenous communities. Castillo noted the pope's personal history in Chiclayo, where he resided for several years. The Vatican confirmed Leo holds Peruvian citizenship.
Leo first arrived in Peru in 1985 at age 30 as a missionary for the Augustinian order. He worked in Chulucanas and Trujillo before spending nearly three decades splitting time between the United States and Peru.
The pope revealed the diagnosis to the public during his weekly audience on October 11. He was discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on October 17. His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, described the pope's clinical condition as absolutely satisfactory and stated there were no medical reasons to cancel the trip. The Vatican said Friday that Leo would cancel a planned visit to Assisi on October 27 on doctors' advice.
Source: BBC News
