Pope Leo XIV Begins 12-Day Latin American Journey, Returns to Peru

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV departed Rome on Friday, 6 November, for a 12-day apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, marking his first visit to Latin America as pontiff and a return to the region where he spent decades as a missionary priest and bishop.

The papal aircraft took off from Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 7:05 a.m. local time, bound for Montevideo, Uruguay, where the Holy Father is expected to arrive at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The 6–17 November journey is his sixth international trip since the beginning of his pontificate and the longest international journey he has undertaken as pope. He is scheduled to visit 10 cities across the three countries and deliver dozens of addresses, primarily in Spanish.

According to Vatican Press Office Director Matteo Bruni, the journey carries a message of communion, encounter and unity, offering the Pope opportunities to connect with people, their cultures, faith and social realities.

Uruguay: First stop of the apostolic journey

The Pope's first destination is Uruguay, where he will remain until 8 November, visiting Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida.

His arrival will be marked by an official welcome ceremony at Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, followed by meetings with government officials, civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps.

He is also scheduled to meet Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi and celebrate Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The visit marks the first papal journey to Uruguay since Pope John Paul II visited the country in 1988.

Argentina: A visit to the homeland of Pope Francis

From 8 to 11 November, Pope Leo will travel to Argentina, the birthplace of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

His itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján, where he will meet President Javier Milei, religious leaders and representatives of civil society.

Among the scheduled activities are a visit to a federal prison in Buenos Aires and a care facility for people with disabilities in Claypole.

The Pope is also expected to address social and economic concerns affecting Argentinians, including poverty and unemployment.

The visit carries particular significance as Pope Francis, despite being Argentina's first pontiff, never returned to his homeland during his papacy.

Peru: A homecoming for the Pope

Peru will be the final and longest leg of the apostolic journey, running from 11 to 17 November.

The Pope will visit Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa, reconnecting with communities where he served as an Augustinian missionary priest and later as a bishop.

He first arrived in Peru as a missionary in 1985 and served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. He also acquired Peruvian citizenship.

The itinerary includes meetings with young people, missionaries, university communities and representatives of Indigenous and Amazonian communities.

His return to Chiclayo is expected to be among the most significant moments of the journey, given his longstanding pastoral ties to the region.

Journey follows recent surgery

The apostolic journey comes less than a month after the Pope underwent surgery on October 13 to remove a localized cancerous tumour from his right lung.

The Vatican confirmed on October 26 that his recovery was progressing favourably and that medical examinations showed no need for further oncological treatment.

His medical team also cleared him to undertake the journey as scheduled.

The demanding itinerary involves approximately 14 flights, including helicopter travel to remote communities.

The Vatican has also confirmed that the Pope is expected to meet survivors of clerical sexual abuse during the journey.

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to return to Rome on November 17.