Pope begins 12-day trip to Latin America weeks after lung cancer surgery

The Irish Times · Motoko Rich · 2026-11-06 07:43 UTC

Tour includes much-anticipated ‘homecoming’ to Peru where he was a priest for many years

Twelve days, 12 plane flights, two helicopter rides. Nine Masses and 36 speeches. In one six-hour stretch, a flight to a city more than 3,000m above sea level to conduct a prayer and blessing service, and another to the Amazon jungle to celebrate Mass.

It is a schedule that would tax anyone, let alone Pope Leo XIV (71), who less than four weeks ago was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent surgery to remove a lobe of his right lung.

Yet this is the itinerary that awaits Leo as he embarks on Friday for South America, where he will meet dozens of politicians, diplomats and bishops as well as visit a prison, universities and facilities for the elderly and disabled. Strong rains connected to the El Nino phenomenon could pummel some of his destinations.

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