Pope Leo XIV has kicked off an ambitious 12-day tour of South America, arriving in Uruguay just three weeks after undergoing surgery for a lung tumor. Despite the medical procedure, the 71-year-old pontiff appears to be in good spirits, telling reporters on his flight that he is in "fairly good shape" and hopes to offer a message of hope to the continent. His itinerary is packed with high-profile engagements, including meetings with political leaders, visits to impoverished neighborhoods, and large-scale public masses across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

The visit marks a historic moment for Uruguay, as it is the first papal trip to the country in nearly forty years. During his address at Plaza Independencia, Pope Leo touched on pressing local issues, expressing concern over the nation’s high suicide rates and advocating for universal access to healthcare, drawing from his own recent experience with cancer treatment. As he continues his journey—which includes a deeply personal return to Peru, a place he considers home from his time as a missionary—the Pope also made headlines for his recent participation in US midterm elections via mail-in ballot, signaling his active engagement in both his spiritual mission and his civic duties as a US-born leader.