Pope Leo XIV's planned trip to South America is still on the calendar, but the Vatican has not said whether his lung surgery could change it.
During his Oct. 11 Angelus, Leo greeted a Peruvian Catholic group and thanked them for their prayers for his apostolic visit to Peru, a remark that appeared to indicate he still intends to travel. Minutes later, he announced he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule.
It is unclear how or whether the surgery and recovery might affect the itinerary, the AP reported. The Vatican says recovery is expected to take about one week. A medical expert quoted by the AP said that, barring complications, Leo should be in good shape to travel. No changes to the trip have been announced.
The journey runs Nov. 6-17 and covers ten cities in twelve days.
- Uruguay, Nov. 6-8: Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida.
- Argentina, Nov. 8-11.
- Peru, Nov. 11-17.
The pope is scheduled to meet with authorities, interfaith leaders, prisoners and workers, celebrate 10 public Masses and hold three prayer vigils with young people.
Peru is where Leo served as a missionary in the 1980s and as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. Argentina is the homeland of Pope Francis, who never returned there after becoming pope.
For many believers in these countries, the visit is a long-awaited moment. Catholics and Christians worldwide are praying for Pope Leo's surgery, his recovery and the journey ahead.
Related Article: Pope Leo XIV Asks for Prayers Ahead of Lung Nodule Surgery This Week
