Pope's South American trip to go ahead as planned after lung cancer surgery

What the report says

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo will continue with his South American trip as scheduled after recovering from surgery to remove a lung cancer tumour. According to the report, the 71-year-old underwent successful surgery in Rome on 13 October and has since been resting while gradually returning to work under medical guidance.

The journey is set for November 6-17 and will include Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, with the Pope expected to follow the planned programme across 10 cities. The Vatican said he was looking forward to the visit "with great joy and enthusiasm." The article adds that his surgeon and Vatican officials have said there are no medical reasons for the trip to be cancelled, while noting that he will skip a separate planned visit to Assisi on October 27 on doctors’ advice.

The trip is significant because it marks a return to a region closely tied to Leo’s personal and pastoral background. The report says he spent years working in Peru as a missionary and that he has Peruvian citizenship. It also notes that the Peru leg will include meetings connected to young people, women involved in community kitchens and indigenous communities, underlining the social and church outreach themes expected on the tour.

More broadly, the Vatican’s confirmation suggests the pope is managing his recovery while resuming public duties, which will be closely watched by Catholics and observers in the countries he plans to visit.