Poised for breakout moment in Latin America, Pope Leo also faces test of health

Live updates

1. 50m ago

   Pope Leo XIV begins 12-day Latin America tour weeks after lung cancer surgery

   Pope Leo XIV departed Friday on a 12-day apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, his longest trip since becoming pope and his first major test since lung cancer surgery weeks ago. The itinerary includes stops at altitudes above 11,000 feet in Peru, raising health concerns for the 88-year-old pontiff who had part of a lung removed. Vatican officials say the pope is confident and medically cleared, but aides have built in rest periods and reduced some public appearances. The tour aims to reconnect with a region where Catholic identity is declining and political tensions are rising.

   Why it matters

   Latin America remains the world's largest Catholic region by population, but secularization and evangelical growth have eroded church influence. Pope Leo XIV, the first North American pope, spent years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, giving him deep regional ties. His predecessor, Argentine-born Francis, set a progressive tone on poverty and migration that shaped expectations. This trip tests whether Leo can sustain that momentum while managing his own physical limits.

   What is confirmed

   • Pope Leo XIV began a 12-day apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on Friday, November 13, 2026.
   • The pope underwent lung cancer surgery weeks before the trip, including removal of part of a lung.
   • The itinerary includes locations above 11,000 feet in elevation in Peru.
   • Vatican officials confirmed the pope was medically cleared and expressed confidence the trip would proceed.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The pope may further reduce public appearances if altitude affects his breathing.

   What to watch next

   • Health updates during high-altitude stops in Peru
   • Attendance and reception at major public Masses in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Lima
   • Any schedule changes announced by the Vatican press office
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   2. The Economist — Can the pope’s tour of Latin America win back disenchanted youth?
   3. The New York Times — Pope Leo’s Trip to Latin America: What to Know
   4. Vatican News — Pope Leo departs for Apostolic Journey to Latin America
   5. CNN — Pope Leo’s Latin America trip will take him above 11,000 feet, weeks after lung cancer surgery
   6. The Washington Post — Poised for breakout moment in Latin America, Pope Leo also faces test of health
   7. The New York Times — 12 Planes in 12 Days: Pope Begins Major Latin America Tour, Weeks After Surgery
   8. The Atlantic — Pope Leo Reckons With the Latin American Right
   9. AP News — What to know about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
   10. BBC — Pope begins lengthy trip to Latin America weeks after lung cancer surgery
   11. The Times — What challenges will the Pope face on return to his stomping ground?
   12. NBC News — Pope Leo XIV, who had cancer surgery just weeks ago, begins grueling South American tour
   confidence 88%