Pope Leo XIV boarded an ITA Airways flight Friday morning on November 6, 2026, heading to Uruguay as the first stop of a twelve-day apostolic journey across Latin America that also includes scheduled visits to Argentina and Peru.
A Rigorous Itinerary Dispels Recent Health Questions
The departure successfully dispelled any lingering questions regarding whether the pontiff would manage the grueling itinerary following a recent surgical procedure at Rome’s Policlinico Gemelli hospital to remove a tumor.
Despite the medical intervention, Pope Leo maintained from day one that he was certain he would make the trip. The mission spans more than 30,000 kilometers across 14 localities, utilizing cars, airplanes, and helicopters for over 50 appointments and nearly 40 speeches.
Mid-Flight Interactions With International Press
Describing himself as a proud American pastor with a Latin American soul, the pontiff expressed eagerness to undertake the challenge. During the flight, he spent roughly half an hour greeting the 82 accompanying journalists from around the world who welcomed him with applause, cameras, and numerous gifts, including a traditional black campesino hat from the Andean regions of Chulucanas, Peru.
Midway through the flight interactions, the Pope signed a Chicago White Sox baseball and joked about risking his clerical robes with stray ink markers.
Among the more curious presents received on board was a plaque presented by Radio Cope correspondent Eva Fernández representing a hypothetical aircraft that could transport him on the Way of Saint James during the Holy Year of Santiago de Compostela in 2027. Regarding whether he will undertake the journey, the pontiff remarked that wanting to do so is one thing, while actually being able to make it happen is another.
The Pope also shared a deeply moving moment when shown a photograph of Pablo Reneo, a twenty-year-old who died of cancer in September, depicting the young man shaking the pontiff’s hand alongside his fiancée Teresa at the Movistar Arena during the Madrid trip. Pope Leo left a dedicated blessing bearing his signature above the image.
Sustaining Energy Through Faith and Routine
When asked by reporters where he finds the strength for such an intensive schedule, he pointed directly to his faith. His daily routine relies on good doctors and a healthy lifestyle.
Pope Leo Prioritizes Medical Access and Secures Truce in Ukraine
Turning to healthcare, the pontiff emphasized that universal access to medical care and preventative checkups must remain a fundamental priority of his pontificate, especially after experiencing his own hospital stay.
The conversation also touched on international affairs. Discussing the situation in Oleshky, Ukraine, Pope Leo acknowledged the truce he helped promote, noting that while recent diplomatic steps brought relief, substantial work remains to secure lasting peace.
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