Pope Leo begins 12-day South America tour three weeks after lung cancer surgery

Summary

Pope Leo began a 12-day tour of South America with a first stop in Uruguay, about three weeks after surgery for lung cancer. Sky News reports that thousands of people greeted him on his arrival in Uruguay, and that he said he felt better than he looked as he flew out. The BBC describes him as being in pretty good health. CBS News reports that the itinerary covers roughly 19,000 miles. The tour also takes him to Argentina and Peru. On the second day of the tour, France 24 reports, he urged Catholics in Uruguay, the continent's most secular country, to be bridge builders of faith and fraternity, and called for healthcare for all.

Timeline

1. CBS News

   7 Nov 2026, 01:29 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that Pope Leo's first stop on his 12-day South America visit is Uruguay, weeks after lung cancer surgery, on an itinerary covering roughly 19,000 miles.

2. BBC

   7 Nov 2026, 06:59 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Pope Leo travelled to Uruguay three weeks after lung cancer surgery as he started his Latin America tour, and describes him as being in pretty good health.

3. France 24

   7 Nov 2026, 09:41 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the pope began a three-nation Latin America tour three weeks after lung cancer surgery, saying he felt better than he looked, and that Uruguay, his first stop, is the continent's most secular country.

4. Sky News

   7 Nov 2026, 12:02 UTCSource ↗

   Sky News reports that thousands of people greeted Pope Leo as he arrived in Uruguay at the start of a 12-day Latin America tour, less than a month after lung cancer surgery.

5. France 24

   7 Nov 2026, 14:59 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Pope Leo XIV urged Uruguay's Catholics to build bridges of faith and fraternity on the second day of his 12-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.