Pope Leo XIV, who had cancer surgery just weeks ago, begins grueling South American tour

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1. 1h ago

   Pope Leo XIV Begins South American Tour Weeks After Lung Surgery

   Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Uruguay to begin a three-nation tour of South America just over three weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff started his longest trip yet, which the Vatican described as a homecoming tour that will also include stops in Argentina and Peru. During his visit to Uruguay, the pope praised the country's democracy and called for accessible healthcare. The demanding itinerary will take the pontiff to altitudes exceeding 11,000 feet, raising initial concerns within the Vatican that the journey might be postponed or scaled back following his operation.

   Why it matters

   The journey marks the most significant visit of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate and comes as the Catholic Church attempts to engage disenchanted youth and confront a region that is losing its religion and navigating the Latin American political right. The trip tests the 71-year-old leader's physical recovery after part of his lung was removed last month. Unresolved questions remain regarding how well his health will hold up against the grueling schedule and high altitudes in the upcoming stops.

   What is confirmed

   • Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay to start a three-nation tour of South America.
   • The pope underwent lung cancer surgery and had part of a lung removed less than a month before the trip.
   • The 71-year-old pontiff's itinerary includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
   • The travel schedule will take the pope to elevations above 11,000 feet.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Some in the Vatican believed the trip to Latin America would be postponed or its intense schedule adjusted following the lung cancer surgery.

   What to watch next

   • Updates on the pope's health as he continues his travel to high-altitude destinations in Peru and Argentina
   • Further speeches and meetings addressing regional politics and church engagement with youth
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. www.lakis.or.kr — King Charles arrives in Guyana as Bahamas visit declared 'diplomatic success' > 최신동향
   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. CNN — Pope Leo’s Latin America trip will take him above 11,000 feet, weeks after lung cancer surgery
   5. The Atlantic — Pope Leo Reckons With the Latin American Right
   6. www.nbcnews.com — Pope Leo XIV, who had cancer surgery just weeks ago, begins grueling South American tour
   7. NBC News — Pope Leo XIV, who had cancer surgery just weeks ago, begins grueling South American tour
   8. Vatican News — Meet the Church in Casavalle, the Montevideo neighbourhood welcoming Pope Leo
   9. AP News — Pope Leo XIV begins 3-day South American visit in Uruguay less than a month after his lung surgery
   10. abcnews.com — Pope Leo begins South American visit in Uruguay less than a ...
   11. Yahoo — Pope Leo praises Uruguay's democracy as South America tour begins
   12. WSJ — Pope Leo Visits a Latin America That’s Losing Its Religion
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