Just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, Pope Leo XIV is set to embark on a grueling 12-day, three-nation tour of Latin America, the longest and farthest trip of his pontificate. The journey holds immense personal and historic significance for the U.S.-born pontiff, who lived in Peru for two decades as a missionary priest and learned to be the pastor he is today.

The trip will begin in Uruguay, the most secular country in Latin America, where the Catholic Church faces significant challenges. Despite this, Leo is expected to draw huge crowds and address issues such as economic injustice, the plight of Indigenous peoples and the Amazon, and the church’s legacy of clergy sexual abuse.

The most anticipated leg of the trip is the final stop in Peru, where Leo will return to Lima and his beloved former diocese of Chiclayo. Maria Montserrat Alvarado, the Vatican’s new communications chief, predicts that Leo will speak off-the-cuff in Spanish throughout the visit, showing his true feelings and connection to the people of Peru.

Another significant aspect of the trip is Leo’s visit to Argentina, the home of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Francis never returned to Argentina during his 13-year pontificate, leaving a complicated legacy that Leo will now have to navigate. The Argentine leg of the trip is likely to be the most politically delicate, given the differences in priorities and styles between Leo and President Javier Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist.”

Despite the challenges posed by his recent surgery, Leo has confirmed the trip without any changes or special provisions. The Vatican has stated that there is no reason why he cannot make the journey, which includes a dozen flights and two helicopter rides covering 31,000 kilometers (19,000 miles).

As Pope Leo XIV embarks on this historic trip to Latin America, the world will be watching to see how he addresses the region’s complex issues and navigates the legacy of his predecessor while also showcasing his own unique style and connection to the people of Peru.