Pope Leo to travel to South America after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV will depart for a three-week tour of South America next month despite recently undergoing surgery for lung cancer. The Vatican confirmed on Tuesday that the 71-year-old pontiff will keep his scheduled itinerary for Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. This trip, running from November 6 to 17, marks the longest journey of his papacy, involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides covering 19,000 miles.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s foreign minister, stated that the diagnosis alters the dynamic of the current papacy. He told reporters at the Italian foreign press association that there was a tendency to view Leo as a figure of exceptional endurance following his election in 2025. Gallagher noted that the pope’s illness serves as a reminder of his human nature.

“The fact that he has fallen ill with, in many ways, one of the most common illnesses of our age means that he is a poor mortal like the rest of us,” Gallagher said. “And I think that that is going to change how we see him and possibly how he sees himself as well.” He added that the situation is a bit of a game-changer for the institution, even though the operation went well.

Doctors removed the lower lobe of Leo’s right lung on October 13 after identifying a tumor. Subsequent tests confirmed the cancer was adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Medical reports indicate no further treatment is required, and the pope has gradually resumed his daily activities. Gallagher said the pope simply wanted to proceed with the travel plans.

Leo spent 20 years serving as a missionary priest in Peru and holds citizenship in that country. He has expressed a strong connection to the people there and to his former diocese in Chiclayo. Gallagher explained that medical advice has been positive from a clinical perspective, giving the pope confidence to travel.

The foreign minister also outlined future travel plans for Leo, including a potential visit to the United States. Gallagher predicted this trip would occur in the not-too-distant future, though the timing may depend on the results of next month’s midterm elections. The Vatican typically avoids papal visits during national election cycles to prevent political use of the office. Preliminary discussions have suggested aligning a U.S. visit with the U.N. General Assembly or a stop in Mexico. Gallagher said Leo is keen to visit the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Other major events on the horizon include World Youth Day in South Korea in August 2027 and the International Eucharistic Congress in Sydney, Australia, in 2028. Gallagher said it is highly likely that Leo will travel to Australia to close that meeting.

Gallagher described Leo as a pensive leader who thinks carefully before acting. He noted that the pope, who has a background in mathematics, is well-informed and often knows the details of foreign policy briefings before they are presented. Gallagher said he did not know about the planned surgery until Leo announced it to the public on October 11 during his weekly audience. The foreign minister rejected the idea that the Vatican bureaucracy would overpower the pope’s agenda, adding with a laugh that if there were signs of that, Leo would demonstrate that he has an appetite for the fight.