Pope Leo XIV departs Rome for 12-day tour of South America

Pope Leo XIV set off from Rome on Friday to begin a tour of South America, Euronews and DW reported. The pontiff is traveling to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. Euronews reported that his flight departed Rome's Fiumicino International Airport shortly after 7 am local time, and he is scheduled to land in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo at around 4:30 pm local time after a 13-and-a-half-hour flight. [1][3]

Outlets differed on the timing of Pope Leo XIV's recent surgery. DW, ABC7, and BBC reported that the trip comes three weeks after he underwent lung cancer surgery. Reuters reported that the surgery took place a month ago, while FTMQ News reported earlier that the pope underwent lung cancer surgery on October 13, 2026. DW noted that the pope is 71 years old and was born in the United States. [1][2][3][4][5][6][8][17]

The pontiff will spend three days in Uruguay before continuing to Argentina and Peru, according to DW. Euronews reported that his schedule in Uruguay includes visiting a neighborhood affected by gang violence. In Argentina, he is scheduled to visit Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján, while his Peru itinerary includes appearances in Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa. [1][3]

The pope served previously as an Augustinian friar, bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, bringing a background in missionary work. Euronews reported that the South American journey includes visits to places where he worked for years as a missionary and bishop. [1][15]

DW reported that the 12-day trip will be the longest and farthest of his papacy so far. The pontiff will celebrate Mass and conduct meetings throughout the three host nations. [3]