Pope Leo XIV begins Latin American tour following surgery
Pope Leo XIV departed today for an apostolic journey to Latin America, just one month after undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor, according to lsm.lv. The trip includes scheduled stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
Uruguay visit marks first papal return in 40 years
The tour begins in Uruguay, a country that has not hosted a pope since the visit of John Paul II four decades ago. The Catholic Church faces demographic changes in the region; lsm.lv reports that the number of Catholics in Uruguay has declined sharply since that last visit. Currently, only 33% of the population identifies as Catholic, the lowest proportion in Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV visits Argentina and Peru
The itinerary includes a stop in Argentina, the birthplace of Pope Francis. Despite his 12-year tenure, Pope Francis never visited his home country during his papacy.
The final leg of the trip takes the Pope to Peru. Pope Leo XIV maintains a personal history with the nation, having served there as a missionary during the 1980s. He later served as a bishop in the country and holds Peruvian citizenship.
Frequently asked questions about the papal trip
Why is this visit to Uruguay considered significant for the Church?
It is the first papal visit to the country in 40 years. The Church is monitoring the region closely as the proportion of self-identified Catholics has dropped to 33%, the lowest level in Latin America.
What is the Pope’s connection to Peru?
Pope Leo XIV lived in Peru during the 1980s as a missionary. He eventually served as a bishop there and was granted citizenship by the state.
How soon is the Pope traveling after his surgery?
The trip comes one month after the Pope underwent an operation to remove a malignant tumor.
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