Pope Leo XIV greets people as he descends the stairs of the papal plane upon arriving at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay Nov. 6, 2026, at the start of his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
Vatican News

Weeks after surgery, Leo begins longest trip yet, calls for accessible healthcare

Vatican

Even with a portion of his lung removed less than four weeks ago, Pope Leo XIV began his 12-day, three-nation tour of South America stating that he never thought the longest trip of his pontificate was truly in jeopardy.

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People walk past a mural dedicated to Pope Leo XIV in Chiclayo, Peru, Sept. 2, 2026, ahead of his scheduled November visit to Peru. (OSV News/Reuters/Angela Ponce)

In Focus

Pope Leo's Latin America trip is a high-stakes homecoming

Latin America is where the U.S.-born future pope spent more than two decades as a missionary priest and bishop. His homecoming in Peru and to the city of Chiclayo in particular, has been highly anticipated.

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Pope Leo XIV greets people as he descends the stairs of the papal plane upon arriving at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay Nov. 6, 2026, at the start of his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. (CNS/Lola Gomez)
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Pilgrims depart in the pouring rain Oct. 3, 2026, from the St. Cajetan shrine in Buenos Aires on the annual pilgrimage to Luján, home of the national patroness and where Pope Leo XIV will visit Nov. 11. The pilgrimage drew an estimated 2.7 million participants at various points, according to the Buenos Aires provincial government. (David Agren)

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