Pope Francis has begun a three-nation tour of Latin America in Uruguay, where he urged governments and societies to ensure that healthcare is available to everyone. The pontiff's first stop comes only three weeks after he underwent surgery for lung cancer, a fact that has drawn attention to his health as he takes on the demanding schedule of an overseas trip.
Uruguay is widely described as the most secular country on the continent, a context that gives the Pope's visit a particular significance. Latin America is home to the largest Catholic population in the world, but in Uruguay religious practice has declined over recent decades, and the country has long kept a firm separation between church and state.
Speaking about his condition, the Pope said he feels better than he looks. The remark offered reassurance to followers at a time when many were watching closely for signs of how he is recovering from the operation. His visit to Uruguay has been framed around his longstanding message on social justice, with access to medical care presented as a basic right rather than a privilege.
The reporting available on the opening of the tour is limited. The source material does not specify the exact dates of the trip, the number of stops planned, or the destinations beyond Uruguay, so the full itinerary of the visit remains unconfirmed at this stage. Further details on the programme and the rest of the tour are expected to follow as the visit unfolds.
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