The 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church underwent surgery in Rome on October 13, 2026. He is scheduled to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November, with stops in ten cities.
The Vatican said the Pope was looking forward to the trip with great joy and enthusiasm, adding that the programme would proceed as planned.
“I look forward to returning to the continent where I spent many years of my life,” Pope Leo XIV said.
In Uruguay, he will visit the capital, Montevideo, and other cities before travelling to Argentina, where he is expected to visit Buenos Aires and other locations.
He will spend six days in Peru, where Catholics account for nearly 76 per cent of the population. His itinerary includes Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
The Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Castillo, said the visit would bring Pope Leo XIV together with young people, women involved in preparing meals for communities, and members of Indigenous communities.
He also highlighted the Pope’s special connection with the people of Chiclayo, where he lived for many years. Pope Leo XIV is also a Peruvian citizen.
The Catholic Church sent him to Peru as a missionary in 1985, when he was 30. He initially served in Chulucanas, in Piura Province, before moving to Trujillo the following year.
Over a period of approximately 30 years, he served in the Americas and Peru.
Pope Leo XIV publicly disclosed his health condition on October 11 while praying with worshippers in St Peter’s Square.
He reassured them that the tumour had been detected early and had not spread, although doctors recommended surgery to remove it.
The operation lasted 90 minutes, and he was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 17.
His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said the Pope was recovering well and that there were no medical reasons preventing him from undertaking the trip.
Since the operation, Pope Leo XIV has been resting and gradually resuming his duties in consultation with his doctors.
However, on their advice, he cancelled a planned visit to Assisi scheduled for October 27.
The Vatican said the Pope was grateful to everyone who had prayed for him and sent messages of support and affection from around the world.
