Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday afternoon, launching a foreign journey of his papacy just weeks after surgery to remove part of his lung, gala.de reported.
The 71-year-old pontiff’s ITA Airways plane touched down at Carrasco International Airport near Montevideo at about 4:20 p.m. local time, according to the Uruguayan newspaper El País. Leo waved to those gathered as he left the aircraft.
The visit opens a 12-day tour that will also take him to Argentina and Peru. He departed Rome on Friday morning shortly after 7 a.m.
Lung Surgery Weeks Before Departure
In mid-October, surgeons at Rome’s Gemelli Clinic removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung. A tissue examination detected an adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, and the Vatican said no further oncological treatment was required. At the end of October, the Holy See cleared the journey.
Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on the Itinerary
In Montevideo, an official welcoming ceremony is scheduled at Plaza Independencia, followed by a meeting with Yamandú Orsi, 59. Leo will also travel to the cities of Paysandú and Florida to celebrate Mass.
On Nov. 8 the trip continues to Argentina, and on Nov. 11 to Peru, which holds special significance for the pope: he spent many years of his life there and served as a bishop, and he speaks fluent Spanish. The South America tour is set to end on Nov. 17.
Questions About the Pope’s Uruguay Visit
Doctors at Rome’s Gemelli Clinic removed the lower lobe of his right lung in mid-October after tests identified an adenocarcinoma, and the Vatican said no further cancer treatment was needed.
When does the trip end? The 12-day journey concludes on Nov. 17, after stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
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