MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — In his first trip following lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV has left Rome for what will be his furthest and longest journey: a 12-day, three-country visit to South America.Vatican officials say the 71-year-old pontiff is exhibiting "fantastic" stamina.Along the way Leo will take 12 flights, including two helicopter rides, give 36 speeches and visit 10 cities including Cusco, Peru, which sits more than 11,000 feet above sea level.
Even the heartiest of travellers can experience altitude sickness there and may require supplemental oxygen.Last month, Leo underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.Vatican officials say he's completed the two-week long recovery period and requires no further treatment.The Vatican's new communications chief Maria Montserrat Alvar said the pontiff was eager to begin his journey.
"His doctors are very confident and he'll have plenty of medical care on board should something happen," she said.It's a puzzling choice for the first leg of the pope's anticipated return to South America, where he spent two decades in Peru, first as a missionary then as Bishop of the coastal city of Chiclayo.Uruguay, a small nation of around 3.5 million people, where adoring crowds will be small, is famously Latin America's most secular nation.When asked why go to Uruguay at all, given the high rate of atheists and strict separation of church and state, Communications Chief Alvarado answered simply, "Why Not?" Adding, "the Gospel is meant to go everywhere."Few welcome banners are seen throughout the capital Montevideo, except for large posters of a waving Pope Leo adorning city churches.
A huge banner drapes down the facade of the Blessed Sacrament Church, in Montevideo's upscale Pocitos neighborhood, where 70-year old retiree Ana Maria Saprissa was heading for quiet prayer.We are thankful, agradecida, she says that the pontiff is coming to visit."His visit gives us such joy because …he remembered us all here in th...