Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay

Pope Leo XIV may still proceed with a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, according to his surgeon, Professor Stefano Margaritora. Margaritora, head of thoracic surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, said there are currently no medical reasons to rule out the journey following the Pope's discharge from the hospital.

The Pope underwent surgery on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung after doctors discovered an adenocarcinoma. While the surgery was completed without complications, Margaritora estimated the pontiff will need approximately 10 more days to achieve a full physical recovery.

Church leaders in the affected countries are prioritizing the Pope's health over the scheduled visit. Cardinal Daniel Sturla, the archbishop of Montevideo, said the Church in Uruguay is waiting for an official statement from the Holy See. Other representatives, including Bishop Alejandro Musolino representing Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi in Argentina and Bishop Edinson Farfán of Chiclayo, Peru, expressed similar sentiments.

Local leaders are considering options such as postponing the trip or shortening the itinerary. Cardinal Sturla noted that if the dates must change, December, February, or March would be better months for a visit to Uruguay than January.