Pope Leo cleared to travel to South America after cancer surgery

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 18:15 · Archive

Pope Leo has been declared fit to undertake a demanding tour of South America next month, two weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery.

Pope Leo has been declared fit to undertake a demanding 12-day tour of South America from 6 to 17 November, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. This comes just two weeks after the 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery for lung cancer on 13 October.

The Vatican statement said his recovery is progressing well and that medical examinations show no contraindications to the journey. Luigi Carbone, the pope's personal physician, confirmed his good health based on clinical examinations and diagnostic tests. The Vatican also stated that the cancer was localised and that no additional cancer treatment is necessary.

The tour is expected to be particularly demanding. The pope will travel approximately 31,000 kilometres across ten cities in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, delivering 36 speeches. According to the New York Post, the trip involves a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. CBS News notes that one scheduled stop in Cuzco, Peru, sits at more than 11,000 feet above sea level, which could pose difficulties for someone recovering from lung surgery.

The Vatican confirmed that the trip will proceed "according to the program previously published", with no changes announced. This follows the pope's decision last week to cancel a planned helicopter visit to Assisi in Italy, which doctors advised against to avoid unpressurised air during his recovery.

The pope expressed his eagerness about the journey in a statement on Monday. "I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I've experienced so many moments of my life," he said. The first American-born pope spent more than two decades working as a missionary and bishop in Peru.

Since his surgery, which was described as successful and without complications, the pope has gradually resumed his activities while adjusting his daily schedule in consultation with his doctors to prioritise recovery. The Vatican said the visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen ties with local churches and convey a message of faith, hope and peace.

How it is being reported

• Vatican confirms Pope Leo’s Latin America trip after post-surgery checkupTrack Pope Leo XIV’s Nov. 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru after Vatican doctors cleared post-surgery travel.New York Post · 26 Oct, 18:09
• Pope Leo XIV confirms Latin America trip after recovering from surgeryThe Vatican says the Pope is recovering well and will be able to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November, with doctors ruling out any complications that could derail the trip.Euronews · 26 Oct, 17:59
• Pope Leo XIV confirms South America trip after cancer surgeryPope Leo XIV confirmed he will proceed with his planned visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6-17, following lung cancer surgery.UPI · 26 Oct, 17:53
• Pope cleared for South America trip after lung cancer surgeryThe trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, set for Nov. 6 to 17, is particularly grueling.CBS News · 26 Oct, 17:19
• Pope in 'good health' and trip to South America will go ahead as plannedThe Pope is recovering well from cancer surgery and his trip to South America will go ahead as planned next month, the Vatican has said.Sky News · 26 Oct, 17:09
• Pope Leo cleared by Vatican doctors for South America trip just weeks after cancer surgeryPope Leo underwent cancer surgery earlier this monthIndependent World · 26 Oct, 16:06

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Vatican · South America · Uruguay · Argentina · Peru · Luigi Carbone

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem