Pope Leo XIV is due to begin a 10-city South America tour Nov. 6, with the Vatican saying a physician found no medical contraindication after reviewing his recovery and test results.
The itinerary runs through Nov. 17, with stops in Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida in Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján in Argentina; and Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa in Peru. The Vatican’s travel advisory lists 12 airplane flight legs and two helicopter trips. Leo is scheduled to leave Lima on Nov. 16 and arrive in Rome on Nov. 17.
Surgeons removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung on Oct. 13. An examination during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. Tests completed Oct. 21 found the tumor localized, and an oncology assessment found no further treatment was needed. Five days later, the Holy See Press Office said Leo’s personal physician, Luigi Carbone, had reviewed his clinical condition and test results and found no contraindication to travel. The office also said his recovery was continuing and his schedule would allow time for rest. EconoTimes previously covered the medical clearance for the November trip.
The Peru stops include Chiclayo, where Leo served as bishop. His Vatican biography says he began serving in Peru in 1985, became apostolic administrator of Chiclayo in 2014 and was appointed bishop there in 2015. He acquired Peruvian citizenship that year. In the Vatican’s Oct. 26 update, Leo said, “I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I’ve experienced so many moments of my life.”
The itinerary includes Masses and meetings with civil authorities, church leaders and local communities. The Holy See Press Office has also announced planned meetings with people abused by clergy or other Church members, but has not named participants or specified when or where the meetings will take place.
The Holy See Press Office has scheduled a briefing on the program for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 a.m. ET (12:00 UTC).
