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Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay last week to begin a 12-day tour of South Americ
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay last week to begin a 12-day tour of South America — his first visit to the Americas since his election in May 2025. The journey had been in serious doubt: the pontiff underwent lung cancer surgery less than a month before departure, and medical clearance came only late. The tour takes him through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, ending in the country where he spent nearly two decades as a missionary before rising to the papacy. Crowds have gathered at each stage of the trip. Observers note that South America is home to the largest share of the world's Catholics, even as religious affiliation across the region has been shifting steadily for years. What does a leader's willingness to travel while still recovering from serious illness tell you about the nature of their role?