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Pope departs for South America, fields questions about health, voting
November 06, 2026
Pope Leo XIV departed from Rome for Uruguay this morning as he began his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, the sixth international journey of his pontificate.
During his flight, the Pontiff fielded journalists’ questions about his health.
The Pontiff advised cancer patients “not to be afraid. Early detection is obviously the best way to go, and so regular checkups are a blessing. And take care of yourselves.”
“Healthcare should be a right of all people,” he added.
Asked about his decision to vote in the U.S. midterm elections, Pope Leo said that “I’m proud to be an American and to exercise the right.” He declined comment on the election results.
The Pope also introduced Montse Alvarado, the new prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, to the journalists on the plane and praised her “wonderful experience, creativity, and liveliness.”
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Further information:
- Pope Leo XIV was ‘confident South America trip would go ahead’ (Vatican News, 11/6/26)
- Pope Leo talks health and voting en route to South America (EWTN News, 11/6/26)
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