The Vatican has officially confirmed that Pope Leo will proceed with his upcoming South American tour as scheduled, despite having recently undergone surgery to remove a cancerous lung tumour. The 71-year-old pontiff is expected to travel across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, visiting ten cities along the way.

The surgical procedure took place on October 13 in Rome, lasting approximately 90 minutes to excise a localized lesion detected in the lower lobe of his right lung. Pope Leo had previously disclosed his diagnosis directly to the faithful during a Sunday prayer in St. Peter's Square, emphasizing that the growth was detected early. His surgical team later reported that his clinical condition was fully satisfactory, leaving no medical impediments to the planned international travel.

In order to facilitate recuperation, the Vatican conceded to minor schedule adjustments, including the cancellation of a short trip to Assisi set for late October. The pontiff has reportedly been tailoring his routine under medical supervision, attempting to balance pastoral obligations with postoperative recovery, while expressing deep gratitude for messages of support received from across the globe.

The demanding itinerary begins on November 8 in Montevideo, shifts to Argentina, and concludes in Peru, where the Pope holds formal citizenship and served as an Augustinian missionary beginning in 1985. Local church authorities in Lima noted that events will center heavily around indigenous communities and civic groups, highlighting the pontiff's long-standing connection to the region.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk