Pope Leo XIV begins a 12-day tour of South America on Friday, one month after lung surgery / He will travel 31,000 km through 10 cities and deliver 36 speeches

Pope Leo XIV will begin a 12-day visit to South America on Friday, traveling to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru as part of his first major tour of the region. The trip, which will end on November 17, is considered one of the most demanding undertaken by a leader of the Catholic Church in recent decades.

The 71-year-old pontiff will travel approximately 31,000 kilometers, visit 10 cities and deliver 36 speeches. Born in Chicago, Leo XIV spent decades as a missionary in Peru and became a Peruvian citizen, which is why the Vatican has described the tour as a “homecoming.”

The Pope will celebrate outdoor Masses, visit a prison in Argentina and travel to isolated Andean communities in Peru. His speeches are expected to address issues including political instability, arms trafficking and environmental destruction. He will also meet with survivors of sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy.

The visit comes after surgery for lung cancer in October. The Vatican announced that the Pope has fully recovered and that no further medical measures are necessary. Argentine authorities estimate that approximately seven million people will attend the scheduled events.