Pope Leo in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru

Two weeks after Pope Leo XIV's surgery for lung cancer, his doctor confirmed he can fly to South America according to the previously released schedule, with Uruguay, Argentina and Peru planned as stops for his Nov. 6-17 trip, the longest trip of the pontificate so far.

Roman Catholics across South America responded to news of Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis with an outpouring of prayers and support, along with concerns about whether the first American pope will make his highly anticipated and physically demanding visit to the region next month.

The Nov. 6-17 trip will be the first papal visit to Latin America of Leo's pontificate and his longest international journey to date. 

The 45.9-foot-tall statue of Leo will grace a seafront park overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Callao, located in the northern suburbs of Lima, the national capital.

"I hope the pope comes to help the poor like me," said María Ruíz Díaz, a 70-year-old retiree.

Chiclayo is expected to be one of the most closely watched stops since Leo served as bishop of the diocese from 2015 to 2023.

The Uruguayan bishops' conference said in a May 21 statement that no date had been set for a visit to South America, though sources say a papal trip would likely occur in November or December during the Southern Hemisphere spring.