Pope begins Latin America trip after cancer surgery
The gist
Pope Leo XIV began a 12-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru three weeks after lung cancer surgery.
The trip tests whether a 71-year-old pope can keep a demanding schedule after surgery.
How it unfolded
- Oct 13, 2026Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung, along with the lower lobe of his right lung.
- Oct 14, 2026His doctors said recovery was proceeding and he began respiratory physical therapy a day after surgery.
- Oct 16, 2026The Vatican said his recovery was "proceeding as normal" and that he still intended to travel to South America.
Key terms
- Vatican
- Landlocked sovereign city-state in Rome, ruled by the pope and serving as the administrative center of the Catholic Church.
- vespers service
- An evening prayer liturgy, one of the canonical hours in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions.
- memorial Mass
- A Eucharistic liturgy in Western Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, held to remember the dead.
Source: Wikipedia