Pope Leo XIV Begins 12-Day Latin America Tour Three Weeks After Cancer Surgery
Three weeks after lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV is setting off on his longest and farthest foreign trip to date, which takes him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Pope Leo XIV departs on Thursday for a twelve-day trip to Latin America, his longest and farthest foreign journey since taking office. The trip covers three countries and runs from November 6 to 17. In total, about 31,000 kilometers will be covered, spread across roughly a dozen flights. The 71-year-old begins the journey just three weeks after lung cancer surgery on October 13.
According to the Vatican, doctors have determined that no further treatment is necessary and have cleared the Pope for the trip. No special medical arrangements are planned. A highlight will be the visit to Cusco in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of around 3,400 meters, which presents a particular physical challenge for the Pope.
The trip begins on Friday in Uruguay, one of the most secularized countries in Latin America. About 3.5 million people live there, and roughly a third of them are Catholic. Uruguay has legalized assisted dying against the opposition of the Church. The Pope is expected to speak on the Church's teaching on abortion and euthanasia. The solemn Mass on Sunday is linked to Uruguay's Independence Day in 1825, giving the visit a national dimension.
Leo then travels to Argentina, the homeland of his predecessor Pope Francis. Francis never returned to his home country during his 13-year pontificate, so this visit is also regarded as a symbolic moment. The visit is likely to be politically delicate, as relations with President Javier Milei are considered strained. Investment in artificial intelligence and data centers could also come up, although it remains unclear in what framework this will happen.
The final stop is Peru, where the Pope will appear first in Lima and then in Chiclayo. Leo was born in the United States, was formerly a missionary and holds Peruvian citizenship. He lived in Peru for about twenty years and led the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. The Vatican states that Peru significantly shaped his pastoral outlook, which is why returning to the country holds special significance for him.
Topics expected to be addressed include economic injustice, the rights of indigenous peoples and the protection of the Amazon region. The legacy of sexual abuse by clergy, which continues to burden the Church, is also likely to come up. Large crowds are expected at several stops. The Vatican said Leo will speak largely freely in Spanish, without reading prepared texts.
Source: the-journal.com
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