Pope Leo visits Latin America

(CBS, KYMA) - Pope Leo the fourteenth arrived in Uruguay Friday, kicking off a three-nation tour of Latin America.

Uruguay's president greeted the pontiff on his first trip abroad since undergoing surgery last month for lung cancer.

The treatment raised questions about the trip, but Leo told reporters aboard the papal plane he was determined to make it happen.

"I had no doubt and was convinced that this trip had to go forward. I'm very happy to say, praise the lord, and thanks to wonderful medical assistance, I'm here today, I think in good shape," said Pope Leo XIV.

Leo is the first pope to visit Uruguay, a predominately secular country, in nearly 40 years. He will also travel to Argentina and Peru, where he served as a missionary priest and bishop.