Pope Leo resumes overseas travel after lung surgery, begins Latin America tour

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Nov 7 – Pope Leo XIV has resumed overseas travel following lung surgery, beginning a demanding 12-day apostolic journey across Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he has sought to reassure the faithful about his recovery while calling for renewed commitment to the Church’s mission. The Pope, who underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, said he was convinced the trip had to proceed despite doubts about whether his health would allow him to undertake the journey.

Speaking to journalists aboard the ITA Airways flight from Rome, Leo said he was in “fairly good shape” and thanked the medical staff accompanying him. Asked where he found the strength for the trip, the pontiff replied: “In faith. The Lord is very generous to me.” The journey, his sixth apostolic trip, spans 12 days and more than 30,000 kilometres, covering 14 locations and involving more than 50 engagements and approximately 40 speeches.

It opened in Uruguay, where the Pope received a warm welcome in the capital, Montevideo, on Friday, November 6, before presiding over evening prayers with bishops, priests, deacons, religious men and women, and seminarians at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Saints Philip and James. He later surprised young people gathered outside the Apostolic Nunciature, where he is staying, by appearing on the balcony to greet them.

“Where are the young people? Where are the Pope’s young people?” he called out, drawing cheers from the crowd. “I see that Uruguay is a country of young people who have faith,” he said, thanking them for their welcome and promising to see them again during the visit. The Pope joked that the Apostolic Nuncio wanted to sleep, but encouraged the young people to sing, adding that they should not stay too late because the neighbours also needed rest.

Appeal for vocations During Vespers at the cathedral, Leo urged clergy and religious communities to remain close to Christ and persevere in their vocation, drawing attention to Uruguay’s efforts to encourage new candidates for priesthood and consecrated life. He recalled that the country’s interdiocesan seminary received no new candidates in 2024, prompting Catholics to organise prayer and fasting for vocations.

The initiative has since borne fruit, with several young people beginning formation and attending the gathering. “What a joy it is to know that generous responses to Christ’s love continue to come forth!” he said. He called on bishops around the world to promote days of prayer and fasting in their dioceses for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

“May parishes, families, and religious communities join in this prayer, and may this country’s example encourage many others to pray with the same trust!” he said. The Pope also praised those who had spent years serving others, particularly the sick and the poor, saying: “How beautiful are the hands that have grown old doing good.” He urged clergy and religious to draw strength from prayer, the Scriptures and the Eucharist, warning against allowing distractions to weaken their commitment.

Health care and peace During his exchange with journalists aboard the flight, Leo also reflected on his recent hospitalisation, saying he had spent his time at Gemelli reading the breviary, newspapers and prayer books. Asked about his recovery, he said he had not yet resumed playing tennis, but hoped to do so. He also called for access to healthcare to be recognised as a right for everyone, particularly highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.

“I would also like to tell people that health care should be a right for everyone,” he said. He had a message for people living with cancer, urging them not to be afraid and describing regular medical check-ups as a blessing. The Pope also addressed the war in Ukraine, welcoming progress towards a truce in Oleshky while cautioning that more work was needed to secure lasting peace.

The Latin American journey will take him from Uruguay to Argentina before concluding in Peru, where he spent more than two decades as a missionary and served as Bishop of Chiclayo. Describing Peru as “one of my many homes”, Leo said he was particularly happy to return to the country. He also described the Argentine leg as a tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose home country he is visiting.

For Leo, the journey is ultimately about bringing the message of hope to the people he encounters. He told journalists that his mission as Bishop of Rome was to share “the joy of the Gospel”, announce the Good News and walk alongside people in moments of both joy and sorrow. Reporting by Vatican News