Pope Leo XIV arrives in Uruguay to begin South American tour

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday to begin a South American tour, DW, the South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera reported. France 24 reported that the pontiff spoke in favor of healthcare for all in Uruguay. Outlets differed on his name, with France 24 identifying him as Pope Francis, while UPI, DW, the South China Morning Post, PBS NewsHour, and OSV News identified him as 71-year-old Pope Leo XIV. [1][2][3][4][6][9][10]

The visit begins a 12-day trip across three South American nations, DW, the South China Morning Post, and Al Jazeera reported. The South China Morning Post and PBS NewsHour reported that the itinerary includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. UPI reported that the trip is the country's first papal visit in 38 years and includes a three-day stay with talks scheduled with President Yamandú Orsi. [2][3][4][6][9]

The foreign trip comes three weeks after the pontiff underwent surgery for lung cancer, according to France 24, DW, the South China Morning Post, and OSV News. DW reported that the pontiff took a nearly 14-hour flight from Rome to Montevideo. France 24 noted that the pope stated he felt better than he looked, while DW and OSV News reported he told journalists he was very happy to be in Uruguay and had no doubt he would make the trip. [1][3][4][10]

France 24 and UPI both noted Uruguay's strong secular tradition. PBS NewsHour reported that the pontiff had previously spent two decades as a missionary priest on the continent. As FTMQ News reported earlier, medical staff cleared the pope for the trip after confirming his cancer was contained and required no further oncological treatment following his October 13 surgery. [1][2][6][16]