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Pope Leo leaves Rome for 12-day South America tour

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Pope Leo, the first US-born pope, starts a tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru about a month after lung cancer surgery. The Vatican says he has fully healed and no special medical precautions are being taken.

The tour runs until 17 November and covers about 31,000km across 10 cities. Leo, who is 71, will give 36 speeches. Argentinian officials say about 7-million people will attend events with him.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the pope sees the trip as a homecoming to places where he lived for a long time and feels closely connected. He said Leo carries a message of unity and asks people to see each other as one family. The Vatican also said Leo will meet survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.

Medical experts said Leo might need rest breaks. They said he could consider extra oxygen, especially in the high Peruvian Andes.

Key facts

Who
Pope Leo (Head of the Catholic Church, first US-born pope, leading the South American tour); Matteo Bruni (Vatican spokesperson); Javier Milei (Argentine President); Pope Francis (Late pope, Leo's predecessor, from Argentina)
What
Pope Leo, the first US-born pope, begins a 12-day South American tour until November 17, visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, a region where he served as a missionary. The Vatican says he has fully healed from his operation and no extra medical precautions are being taken.
When
6 November 2026
Where
Rome, Uruguay, Argentina
Status
Reported

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