The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV, who had surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, is recovering as expected and that nothing medical stands in the way of his November 6 to 17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, Liberty Times and others reported on the 27th.
According to Liberty Times and the Central News Agency, the Vatican said the 71-year-old Pope Leo XIV will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru next month as planned. Recent medical tests showed good health and a favorable clinical course, and no contraindication to the trip was found, it said.
광고 문의 · 300×250The pope was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, and on October 13 had the lower lobe of his right lung removed at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. ITV News reported the nodule was found by chance during routine abdominal exams and the cancer was early-stage. Surgeon Stefano Margaritora called it a routine procedure without complications.
An Earlier-Than-Expected Discharge
The pope left the hospital on Saturday the 17th, well before the week-long stay the Vatican had expected, and said he felt ‘much better’. Since surgery he has held a phone call with Russian President Putin, met senior aides and celebrated Mass in a makeshift hospital chapel. The surgeon expects full recovery within about ten more days.
ITV News said tests on the tumor and nearby lymph nodes will decide whether he needs chemotherapy, chemotherapy with immunotherapy, or targeted oral therapy. The Central News Agency report did not describe a post-surgery treatment plan, so whether further treatment is needed is unconfirmed.
31,000 Kilometers, Ten Cities
The trip runs November 6 to 17: Uruguay on the 6th to 8th, Argentina the 8th to 11th and Peru the 11th to 17th. The Central News Agency put it at ten cities and about 31,000 kilometers. ITV News said it involves about a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high-altitude sites.
Born in Chicago, Leo XIV spent many years as a missionary in Peru and received Peruvian citizenship in 2015. The last papal visit to Uruguay and Argentina was nearly 40 years ago. The Vatican will publish a detailed schedule later.