The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV’s visit to three countries in Latin America—Uruguay, Argentina and Peru—scheduled for Nov. 6-17 “will proceed according to the programme previously published.” It said his doctors have given him the green light to travel on this long and demanding journey.

In the statement, Pope Leo is quoted expressing his great joy at “returning to the continent where I’ve experienced so many moments of my life.” He first went to Peru as an Augustinian missionary in 1985 and subsequently spent almost half of his priestly life—some 20 years—both as a missionary priest and bishop there before Pope Francis called him to Rome in 2023 to head the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops.

The Vatican press office broke the news in a communique around 5 p.m. (local time) on Monday, Oct. 26, just 13 days after the pope underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital to remove a malignant tumor from his right lung. 

It said his “recovery continues to progress, in accordance with the favorable assessments communicated by his medical team.” It reaffirmed that “the surgical procedure was successful and without complications” and “subsequent medical examinations confirmed that the condition was localized and that no further oncological treatment is necessary.” 

Dr. Luigi Carbone, the pope’s personal physician, “confirms that the Holy Father’s recovery after the surgery continues, and the latest medical examinations attest to his good health and favorable clinical condition.” Moreover, the statement added that “based on his current clinical status, as well as the instrumental and laboratory tests performed, there are no contraindications that would prevent him from undertaking his upcoming apostolic journey to Latin America as planned.”

Pope Leo “is following medical recommendations with great care and diligence, and with a deep determination to continue serving the church,” the Vatican stated.

Pope Leo will depart from Rome’s airport for Uruguay on Friday morning, Nov. 6. During his 12-day trip, he will spend more than 46 hours in the air, taking 12 planes and two helicopters. He will visit 10 cities in three countries and participate in some 51 events. And if, as the Vatican said today, he follows the program as published in September without any change, Pope Leo will travel from Chiclayo (where he was bishop) to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire at an altitude of 11,000 feet, as well as to Pucallpa, a city in the Amazonian rainforest of eastern Peru, and from there to Lima, the capital of Peru, on the penultimate day of his visit.

Since he returned from the hospital on Oct. 17, the Vatican said the pope “has gradually resumed his activities, adjusting his daily schedule in consultation with his doctors to prioritize his recovery while continuing to fulfill the responsibilities of his ministry.” Moreover, it said, “he has maintained important appointments and public engagements, remaining attentive to the needs of each day and allowing for appropriate periods of rest.”

It repeated what Pope Leo said on Sunday, Oct. 18, noting that he is “deeply grateful for the prayers and affection he has received from people throughout the world and for the dedicated care of the medical professionals who have accompanied him during his recovery.”

The missionary pope, who is a citizen of both the United States and Peru, is looking forward “with great joy and enthusiasm to this journey,” the Vatican said. His visit will provide opportunities “to strengthen the bonds of communion with the local churches,” “to encourage the faithful in their mission” and to “bring a message of faith, hope, and peace to the peoples of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.” Moreover, it said he will “encounter the faith” of the peoples of these three countries and “share with them the hope and peace that Christ brings to our world.”

The Vatican communique ended with the following words from Pope Leo expressing his happiness at being able to make this long, demanding trip, words that he also posted on X: 

I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I’ve experienced so many moments of my life. May this journey be an occasion for us to open our hearts to one another, strengthen our communion as brothers and sisters, and renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel with joy.

Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.