Pope Leo: 'confident South America trip would go ahead'

Source: Vatican Media

During his flight from Rome to Montevideo, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity in messages to the leaders and peoples of Italy, France, Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal, and Brazil as the papal plane flew over their territories.

After about an hour and half after takeoff, Pope Leo greeted the 82 reporters, correspondents, and camera operators accompanying him, in three languages - Italian, Spanish and English. He thanked them "for your service, for the work that you do," which is "so important" in helping spread "God's message of peace and goodwill for all people."

"I know some people were doubtful about this trip taking place," Pope Leo said, but he said he was always confident he would be able to go. He praised the Lord and thanked the medical staff accompanying him, saying he was in "fairly good shape."

The Pope also took the opportunity to formally introduce the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Maria Montserrat 'Montse' Alvarado, who joined the Vatican team of the Holy See on November 1 succeeding Paolo Ruffini who had completed his term of service. He praised her "wonderful experience," "creativity," "life and liveliness," saying she would accompany them on the visit and help the Vatican and the Pope "in the very important dimension of communication."

Before walking down the aisle to greet the journalists individually, Pope Leo reiterated the priority of his sixth Apostolic Journey, namely to encounter the peoples and cultures of three Latin American countries and bring them "the message of hope in today's world." Each country, he said, has "a very particular history," with "many things in common" and "many differences."

The longest part of the visit will be in Peru, a homecoming to the country where he spent more than 20 years as a missionary. It will include Chiclayo, the northern diocese where he served as Bishop.

"Peru one of my many homes. I'm very happy to be going back there," he said.

As he moved among the journalists, the Pope was given books, letters, and gifts of all kinds, from a traditional Andean hat from Chulucanas, where his mission in Peru began, to a Chicago White Sox baseball.

As he signed the ball, he joked with the journalist who handed him the marker: "Careful, I've ruined other cassocks that way." Asked where he found the strength to make the journey, he replied, "In faith. The Lord is very generous to me." He attributed his health to "good doctors and a healthy lifestyle."

He had a particular message for people with cancer: "Do not be afraid. Early diagnosis is the best approach, so regular checkups are a blessing."

Responding to correspondents from US news outlets who asked about the ballot he had mailed in for the midterm elections, Pope Leo said, "I have already made a statement about this. I am proud to be American and to exercise the right to vote."

He said he had not voted in Peru, where he also holds citizenship, because there was no way for him to vote remotely. Had it been possible, however, he would have done so. "It is a good thing," he said.

Speaking about Ukraine, Pope Leo commented on the truce in Oleshky that he had called for and worked to promote: "Thank God for what has been achieved, but there is still much work to be done to achieve peace."

Regarding the Argentine leg of the journey, the Pope described as "a tribute" to Pope Francis. "In the sense that I am visiting his country, which he was unable to visit," while emphasizing that the priority is to visit this important country.

Asked whether he felt different, perhaps more at ease, when speaking Spanish, the language he learned during his missionary years, Pope Leo replied: "Wait and see. Some people say there are significant differences."

The Papal plane landed in Montevideo, Uruguay, at 8.19pm Rome time.