Pope Leo begins 12-day Latin America tour weeks after lung cancer surgery
The 71-year-old pontiff is visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru despite surgery to remove part of a lung last month.
Key facts
Story- Pope Leo has begun a 12-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
- He had part of a lung removed last month to treat cancer.
- The trip takes him back to Peru, a country he once called home.
Pope Leo arrived in Uruguay on Friday to start a 12-day tour of three Latin American countries. The 71-year-old pontiff had part of a lung removed last month in surgery for lung cancer.
The tour takes the pope to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The journey is lengthy and physically demanding for a man only weeks past a major operation. The pope's visit to Peru carries extra weight, as he once lived and worked there before his election as pontiff.
The tour comes at a time of political tension across the region. The pope is the first pontiff from the Americas, and his return to the region has drawn wide attention.
The trip runs for 12 days across the three countries. Details of the full schedule, including public Masses and meetings with national leaders, have not been set out. Officials have not said how the pope's recovery will be managed during the journey.
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