Pope in 'pretty good health' as he starts Latin America tour

BySarah Rainsford, Southern and Eastern Europe correspondent and Victoria Bourne.

Key points

• Pope Leo will cover more than 20, 000 miles on his sixth international tour.
• The Pope has arrived in Uruguay, the first stop of a 12-day tour which he is undertaking only three weeks after his operation.
• On Sunday he will travel to Argentina, the homeland of his predecessor Pope Francis who did not return during his own papacy.
• On Friday, he arrived in Monetevideo to a seafront lined with crowds shouting his name as his Popemobile passed.

BySarah Rainsford, Southern and Eastern Europe correspondent and Victoria Bourne. 7 November 2026, 06: 57 GMT. Updated 8 minutes ago.

Pope Leo XIV has remarked to journalists travelling with him to Latin America he is "in pretty good health", in his first comments on his condition since having surgery for lung cancer.

For context, the Pope has arrived in Uruguay, the first stop of a 12-day tour which he is undertaking only three weeks after his operation.

Meanwhile, the pontiff, 71, additionally stated he was "very happy" to be able to create the trip which was thrown into doubt last month when doctors discovered a tumour during a routine scan.

In practice, the tour will cover Argentina and a much anticipated return to Peru. It the Vatican described as a "homecoming" as the Pope was based there for plenty of years as a missionary, then a bishop.

"I must confess that, from the very first day, I never had any doubts; I was convinced that this journey had to go forward, " the Pope informed journalists on his plane to Uruguay.

"Thanks to the marvellous medical staff. I believe I am in quite good health, " Pope Leo confirmed.

Last month's operation to remove a tumour was successful and his doctors say the cancer has not spread.

In his first speech of the trip, the Pope remarked universal healthcare should be "accessible to everyone".

He informed the crowd in Plaza Independencia the care he received produced him think of the "many men and women who lack the means to obtain a timely diagnosis" or receive treatment. He capped his day with a prayer at the Montevideo Cathedral.

In practice, the Pope remarked his visit was concerning being near the individuals who were looking to the Church for a message of "hope".

Taken together, the developments around pope in ' pretty good health' as he starts Latin America tour point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.