Pope Leo XIV begins Latin America trip after lung surgery

Pope Leo XIV has embarked on a trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, marking the longest and farthest journey of his papacy, according to KRMG. This visit is notable as it follows shortly after the pope underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung on October 13, with doctors approving the trip despite the recent procedure.

The pope's visit holds personal significance as he spent two decades as a missionary priest in Latin America, particularly in Peru, which is considered his second homeland. Latin America remains home to about 40% of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, though the proportion of Catholics in the region has declined in recent years, especially in the countries the pope is visiting, KRMG reported.

The trip begins in Uruguay, a country known for its secular identity and separation of church and state. While nearly 77% of Uruguay's 3.5 million people are baptized Catholics, more than half identify as religiously unaffiliated, the highest rate in Latin America. The pope's itinerary includes a visit to a parish in Casavalle, a poor neighborhood in Montevideo affected by drug trafficking and gang violence, where the church collaborates with authorities on social support initiatives.

Pope Leo XIV is also scheduled to celebrate Mass in Paysandú, Uruguay. The visit aims to address the challenges faced by Catholic communities in these countries and to reconnect with the faithful in a region undergoing religious shifts, KRMG noted.

The trip is set to last from November 6 to 17, allowing the pope to engage with communities across the three countries despite his recent health challenges.