Pope Leo XIV is beginning a lengthy trip to Latin America just three weeks after surgery for lung cancer – a tour that includes a much-anticipated “homecoming” to Peru where he was a priest for many years.
The Vatican says no extraordinary measures are being taken in relation to the Pope’s health, describing him as a “71-year-old who has undergone an operation” not someone with a “permanent medical condition”.
It was Leo himself who revealed last month that doctors had discovered a tumour during a routine scan. The growth was removed along with the lower lobe of his right lung and his medical team then confirmed the cancer had not spread.
At a briefing in Rome ahead of the trip, which takes in Uruguay and Argentina as well as Peru, a spokeswoman stressed that Pope Leo had “fantastic stamina” and was “extremely enthusiastic” about the schedule which he had “personally confirmed… with no changes”.
Back on track
“The Vatican’s message with this trip is, ‘that was a short episode and now we’re back on track’,” Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University told the BBC, pointing out that the Pope has had a busy return to work since his surgery.
“We have seen him in these last few days making speeches, audiences and so on. He seems in great shape. That was important.”
The 12-day tour would be demanding for anyone, though. It incorporates multiple long-haul and local flights and covers thousands of miles from the Amazon to the Andes.
The starting point will be Uruguay, where the number of Catholics has fallen away steeply in recent years and which is getting its first Papal visit in four decades.
Leo then heads for Argentina, homeland of Pope Francis, his predecessor.
“This visit is also a homage to Francis, who didn’t make it to Argentina [as pope],” says Father Fernando Laguna, the rector of Santa Maria Addolorata, Argentina’s national church in Rome.
“When this visit by Pope Leo was announced, it filled all of our hearts with joy,” he told the BBC. “I always thought he would go, despite his illness. I don’t think he ever thought of calling it off!”
The priest is installing a big screen inside the church in Rome to allow parishioners to follow all the key moments of the trip from afar. The building is already decked out with posters declaring Pope Leo is welcome in Argentina. “We’re waiting for you!”, one proclaims.
