Pope Leo begins South American tour after lung-cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday to begin a 12-day tour of South America, his first major visit to the region since undergoing lung-cancer surgery several weeks ago. The 71-year-old pontiff told reporters aboard the flight from Rome that he was “very happy” to be in Uruguay and wanted to deliver a message of hope. He said he was in “fairly good shape” and had never doubted that the trip should proceed.

The Vatican said doctors had cleared him to travel and that no special medical arrangements were needed beyond normal care for a papal journey. Leo was greeted by large crowds in Montevideo, where the Vatican estimated that about 30,000 people watched his arrival and first public event. He travelled in an open-sided popemobile and spoke in the city’s main square alongside President Yamandú Orsi.

In remarks focused on public life and regional relations, Leo said respect for law, negotiation and the patient search for agreement could help Uruguay address differences with its neighbours. He is also scheduled to visit Casavalle, a Montevideo neighbourhood affected by poverty and violence. Uruguay is Latin America’s most secular country.

It has legalised recreational marijuana, abortion, same-sex marriage and assisted dying, measures opposed by the Catholic Church. Even so, tickets for events connected with the visit sold quickly. The archbishop of Montevideo, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, said interest extended beyond practising Catholics.

The pope will travel to Argentina on Sunday, where he is due to meet President Javier Milei as well as business leaders, trade unions, workers and social representatives. The visit carries particular significance because Argentina was the home country of Pope Francis, who never returned there during his papacy. Leo said he was travelling to Argentina with great joy.

Peru will be the final and most personal stage of the tour. Leo lived there for almost 20 years as a missionary and holds Peruvian citizenship in addition to his US citizenship. His itinerary includes Masses in his former diocese of Chiclayo, the former Incan capital Cusco and the Amazon city of Pucallpa, as well as a visit to the mountain village of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba.

The trip has prompted a wave of enthusiasm in Peru, where vendors are selling papal souvenirs and bakeries are producing “Leo bread.” A 14-metre statue has been erected in Callao, and women prisoners are making dolls in his likeness. The visit also comes as Catholic identification has declined in both Argentina and Peru, adding a broader social and religious context to the pope’s return.