Sara Guglielmetti Pope Leo XIV , who had a malignant lung tumor removed, is recovering normally after surgery . However, it is currently unknown whether the Pontiff will be able to make his apostolic journey to South America, scheduled for November 6-17, 2026. Here's what the doctors have to say.
Pope Leo: Post-operative recovery continues
Pope Leo XIV's post-operative recovery is progressing well, having had a malignant lung tumor removed last Tuesday . The operation, which involved the removal of the lower lobe of the right lung, was performed at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The Holy Father's next clinical steps will be known in a couple of weeks: the treatments and length of recovery have yet to be determined based on the results of the tests and the evolution of Prevost 's condition.
At the moment, the Vatican has advised a week's hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, but, again, more will be known once the test results are available. Questions now arise regarding the apostolic trip to South America, scheduled for November 6-17: will the Pope be able to make it?
Pope Leo, doctors speak out: "No certainty about the trip to South America"
Will Pope Leo XIV be able to depart for South America for his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru? Doctors at the Gemelli Hospital assessed the Pontiff's condition, confirming his normal post-operative progress. Blood tests and a chest X-ray performed yesterday provided reassuring results: "The values are normal for the type of surgery performed." However, there is currently no certainty that the Pontiff will be able to depart for South America, as evidenced by the words of Keiko Fujimori, President of Peru: " We await any communication from the Vatican because we understand that his recovery will take several weeks longer than expected and that there could be a change in the schedule of his visit ."