Pope's South American trip to go ahead as planned after lung cancer surgery

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo will go ahead with his South American tour as planned, following his surgery for lung cancer.

The 71-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer and had successful surgery in Rome on 13 October to remove a tumour from the lower part of his right lung. The operation lasted 90 minutes, and he was discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital on 17 October.

His surgeon, Stefano Margaritora, said he was in an absolutely satisfactory clinical condition, and tests showed the cancer was localised. The Pope announced the operation himself on 11 October, telling pilgrims the growth was well-contained and had been caught at an early stage.

Since the operation, he has been resting and gradually resuming his work. The Vatican said he was deeply grateful for the prayers and affection he has received from around the world.

The tour is scheduled for 6 to 17 November, taking in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, with 10 cities on the programme. It will begin in Uruguay on 8 November, with a visit to the capital, Montevideo, before moving on to Argentina from 11 to 17 November. He will then spend six days in Peru, where roughly 76 percent of the population are Catholic.

The visit will hold particular meaning in Peru. The Pope lived there for several years, including in Chiclayo, and was sent to the country as a missionary in 1985, when he was 30. He joined the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, in the department of Piura, and worked between the United States and Peru for almost three decades.

Peru's Cardinal Castillo, the Archbishop of Lima, has said the trip will involve young people and women. The Vatican also said on Friday that the Pope would cancel a planned trip to Assisi on 27 October, on medical advice.