Vatican reaffirms intention of Pope Leo XIV to travel to Latin America

The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from surgery is “proceeding as normal” and said he still intends to travel to South America.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, spoke to journalists on Oct. 14 regarding the pope’s recovery after surgery to remove a lung nodule.

“He is having a normal postoperative course, and his blood values are within the normal range for the type of operation the Pope underwent,” Bruni said to the journalists gathered.

When journalists asked whether Leo’s trip to South America would be modified or canceled, Bruni said the pope’s intention to travel remains unchanged.

“What I told you previously still stands. We have heard the Pope’s words about the trip, namely, his intention, his desire, and also the fact that he intends to go."

Before Bruni met with journalists, the Holy See Press Office published the following statement regarding Leo’s recovery:

“This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled following the operation. The results confirm a regular post-operative course: the values are within the normal range for the type of surgery performed.”

The statement also added that the pope…