Argentina's government prepares for possibility Pope Leo may not visit

The Vatican’s confirmation that Pope Leo XIV had been diagnosed with a common type of lung cancer following surgery has had a major impact on Argentina’s government, which has begun privately to accept the possibility that the pontiff could cancel the tour that is due to take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in just three weeks’ time.

With the Vatican yet to release official information on the Pope’s post-operative treatment, no Milei administration official has been willing to publicly acknowledge the possibility of a cancellation.

Quite the opposite, in fact – both Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva have said that preparations for the visit are continuing for the time being.

It was Presidential Spokesperson Adrián Ravier who, in response to the latest news about the Pope’s health, acknowledged that the government was prepared to accommodate any rescheduling that might prove necessary.

Indeed, the spokesman reiterated that position a day after President Javier Milei said in a radio interview that his administration had no problem with the dates being changed.

For now, all of His Holiness’s activities have been suspended at least until October 20. That recommendation was made before it was announced that histological examination of the removed nodule had revealed it to be a pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Privately, other officials have begun to concede that it is “very likely” the papal visit will be cancelled, and believe confirmation will come from Rome.

This is more than mere speculation. The medical bulletin was released in the Italian capital shortly before 10pm local time. In the aftermath, several calls were made from Buenos Aires, and the replies only added to the uncertainty.

Also contributing to this impression, sources insist privately, has been the silence of the Argentine Church following the announcement of Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis. The Church usually communicates its institutional position through the Argentine Episcopal Conference.

The story, which has attracted worldwide attention, is still unfolding. The Vatican is expected to provide clarification on the health of the 71-year-old Pope as soon as possible, with that information likely to shed light on his immediate future.