# Pope Leo's South America Tour

> Pope Leo XIV begins emotional South America trip weeks after lung cancer surgery.
- Title: Pope Leo's South America Tour · Buenos Aires Times | Shortify
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV begins emotional South America trip weeks after lung cancer surgery.
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, south america, uruguay, argentina, peru, papal tour, lung cancer surgery, Buenos Aires Times
- Source: Buenos Aires Times — https://batimes.com.ar/news/latin-america/pope-leo-leaves-on-emotional-south-america-tour-weeks-after-surgery.phtml
- Published: 2026-11-06T11:48:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, south america, uruguay, argentina, peru, papal tour, lung cancer surgery, news, politics, world
## Pope Leo's South America Trip
Pope Leo XIV begins emotional South America tour weeks after lung cancer surgery.
## 12-Day Visit Plan
Pope Leo XIV will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in 12 days, meeting political leaders, prisoners, the poor, and old friends.
## Departure from Rome
Pope Leo XIV boards plane under overcast skies at Rome's Fiumicino airport shortly after 0600 GMT.
## Historic Connection
The Church's first US-born Pope served for almost two decades in Peru as a missionary, forming deep attachment to the continent.
## Uruguay Visit Details
Uruguay hosts Pope Leo XIV with 5,000 police and 1,000 soldiers for security, including a popemobile and meeting with left-wing President Yamandú Orsi.
## Pope's Visit Goals
Pope Leo XIV aims to strengthen faith, renew hope, and rekindle charity in countries facing inequality, violence, and declining Catholicism.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV starts a South America tour to reconnect with countries that shaped his priesthood after lung cancer surgery.