Pope Leo XIV Begins Latin America Tour in Uruguay Three Weeks After Lung Cancer Surgery

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday for the first stop of a 12-day tour of Latin America, three weeks after an operation to remove a lung tumour. In his first comments since the surgery, the 71-year-old pontiff said he is in pretty good health. BBC News

Doctors found the tumour during a routine scan last month. The operation was successful, and his doctors say the cancer has not spread. The Vatican said on 26 October that the Pope was in "good health and favorable clinical condition" and that the trip would go ahead as planned. Reuters

The journey takes in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, and is scheduled to run from 6 to 17 November. Holy See Press Office The Pope is due in Argentina on Sunday, the homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis. The Vatican describes the leg in Peru as a homecoming, since Leo spent years there first as a missionary and later as a bishop. The tour covers more than 20,000 miles and is his sixth international trip as pope.

In Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital, he passed crowds along the seafront in the Popemobile, the vehicle used for papal processions. In his first speech in the country, he said universal healthcare should be accessible to everyone. He ended the day with a prayer at Montevideo Cathedral.

The Pope's visit to Argentina is set to begin on Sunday, with Peru to follow later in the trip.