By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Pope Leo XIV departed Friday on a 12-day, three-nation tour of Latin America, his longest and farthest journey since becoming pontiff, just three weeks after surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his lung. The 71-year-old pope will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, covering 31,000 kilometers with a dozen flights and two helicopter rides.
Papal Homecoming to Peru
The trip carries deep personal significance. Leo, born Robert Prevost in the United States, spent two decades as a missionary priest in Peru and holds Peruvian citizenship. He led the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023 before being called to Rome by Pope Francis. Vatican communications chief Maria Montserrat Alvarado said the pope personally confirmed the itinerary with no changes and is expected to speak off-the-cuff in Spanish, showing a more relaxed side.
Argentina Visit and Political Dynamics
The Argentina leg presents political complexities. Pope Francis never returned to his homeland during his 13-year pontificate, leaving a void Leo aims to fill. President Javier Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist,” once called Francis a “filthy leftist.” Observers expect discussions on artificial intelligence investment, a priority for Milei and a concern for Leo regarding its impact on humanity and the environment.
Uruguay’s Secular Challenge
The tour opens in Uruguay, the most secular country in Latin America, where only a third of the 3.5 million people identify as Catholic. Uruguay has legalized marijuana, abortion, same-sex marriage, and assisted dying, maintaining strict church-state separation. Alvarado said the pope will reaffirm church teaching on abortion and euthanasia while recalling Uruguay’s Catholic roots tied to its independence.
Medical Clearance for Demanding Itinerary
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said no special medical provisions are planned despite the pope’s recent surgery and the high-altitude stop in Cusco, Peru, at 3,400 meters. Doctors cleared Leo for the trip after confirming no further treatment was needed.
