'No clinical reason' pope can’t travel to Latin America, Vatican media cites surgeon

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo’s surgeon told Vatican media on Saturday that there were “no clinical reasons” to prevent him from traveling to Latin America as scheduled Nov. 6-17.Dr. Stefano Margaritora said “the Holy Father has put his heart and soul into his recovery” and said he expected the pope to recover fully from surgery “in another 10 days or so.”“As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place,” he told told Vatican News.The interview was published shortly after the pope returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after Margaritora removed the lower lobe of his right lung, where a cancerous nodule had been located.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back for updates. AP’s earlier story follows below.Pope Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday, four days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where dozens of well-wishers saw him off with cries of “Holiness.”“