Chileans await visit by Pres. Hinckley

SANTIAGO, Chile — For LDS Chileans like Paola Cintolesi Makuc, news that President Gordon B. Hinckley is planning to travel here to rededicate the Santiago Chile Temple on Sunday is being met with twofold joy.

First, they are thrilled that the 95-year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expected to be among them, and second, they're relieved to know he has recovered enough strength since undergoing surgery for colon cancer to make the long trip to this South American nation and preside at Sunday's ceremonies.

"I feel so happy knowing President Hinckley is coming," said Makuc, a Santiago resident. "I had some doubts that he would be here — but mostly I was concerned for his welfare and simply wanted him to be well."

LDS Church members in Chile, in Utah and around the world will watch closely President Hinckley's planned Santiago trip, which was confirmed by a church spokesman Friday. It will be his first public appearance since being diagnosed and treated for cancer.

President Hinckley was expected to arrive in Chile in time to participate in an LDS cultural event tonight at Santiago's Monumental Stadium featuring thousands of Chilean members.

In a meeting Thursday with LDS young adults in Santiago, Elder L. Tom Perry of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve said President Hinckley has "gone through a very trying period" since learning he had cancer. President Hinckley underwent surgery on Jan. 24 to remove a cancerous growth in his large intestine. He was hospitalized for a week, then released on Jan. 31.

Elder Perry said the church leader has lost some strength and a few pounds. The extended stay in a hospital room was a new experience for the church's globe-trotting president.

"It was the first time (President Hinckley) had ever been in a hospital to stay overnight," Elder Perry said.

Since early February, church officials have said little about President Hinckley's condition, other than that he was meeting with his counselors. His daughter, Virginia Pearce, said in February there had been no discussion of potential chemotherapy treatments for President Hinckley.

"We're not even talking about that now," she said in mid-February. "We're focused on getting him over the surgery. He's recovering well. The doctors tell us he's on schedule, and he's working hard at getting well."

Elder Perry said President Hinckley now has a demanding period ahead of him. After returning from his expected Chile trip, he will begin preparing for LDS general conference in April.

"Let's pray that he has the strength to get through the next few weeks," Elder Perry said. "I'm sure the Lord will continue to bless him."