Rome, Oct 26. (dpa/GNA) – Pope Leo XIV will travel to South America for nearly two weeks in November as planned, the Vatican confirmed on Monday, despite his recent cancer surgery.
The pope’s doctors confirmed that nothing medical speaks against the trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month. Until the last moment, it had been unclear whether the trip could go ahead as planned because of the procedure.
Nearly two weeks ago, the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung, which contained a malignant tumour, was removed. It turned out to be a lung adenocarcinoma.
According to experts, this is the most common form of lung cancer.
The Vatican reaffirmed that the cancer had not spread. The disease had been localized, and no further oncological treatment was now required.
The pope’s recovery “continues to progress, in accordance with the favourable assessments communicated by his medical team,” the Holy See said in a statement.
Since returning to the Vatican, he had gradually resumed his activities, it said. “I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I’ve experienced so many moments of my life,” the Vatican quoted the 71-year-old pope as saying.
The former worldwide head of the Augustinian order, spent many years in Peru as a missionary and bishop. His visit is being eagerly awaited there in particular.
Before that, however, Leo plans first to visit Uruguay and Argentina.
In total, 14 flights are scheduled during the trip, and the pontiff faces a tight programme between November 6 and 17. The Vatican stressed in its statement that “the journey will take place according to the previously released schedule.”
GNA