By Karim Hammam
Vatican officials confirmed Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV is in good health and will embark on a demanding 12-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru starting Friday, less than four weeks after surgery for lung cancer.
Health Update
The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung for lung adenocarcinoma. Tissue analysis showed the cancer was localized, requiring no further treatment. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated the pope's recovery has progressed sufficiently that no special medical provisions are needed for the trip, with standard medical staff and ambulances accompanying him as usual.
Trip Itinerary
The schedule runs from November 6 to 17, covering roughly 31,000 km across 10 cities with 36 addresses, 12 flights, and two helicopter journeys. A stop in Cusco, Peru, sits at 3,399 meters altitude, where visitors often face altitude sickness. Maria Montserrat Alvarado, the Vatican's new communications head, described the pope's stamina as "fantastic" and expressed full confidence in his doctors.
Medical Assessment
Independent specialists, including Dr. Serena Ricciardi of San Camillo Forlanini Hospital and Dr. Antonio Passaro of Milan's European Institute of Oncology, said clearance for air travel indicates a low probability of post-surgical complications. Passaro noted the surgery itself is not an obstacle to strenuous activity but recommended structured rest and oxygen supplementation given the demanding schedule and high-altitude locations.
