Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to embark on his first visit to Latin America as pontiff from November 6 to 17, retracing significant paths from his years as a missionary priest and bishop. The U.S.-born pope, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, marking his longest international trip to date.
The journey begins in Uruguay, a country known for its distinct secularism where traditional Catholic holidays have been officially replaced by Family Day and Tourism Week. During his stay, Leo will visit a parish in Casavalle, a marginalized neighborhood near the capital Montevideo that faces challenges such as drug trafficking and gang violence. His itinerary in Uruguay also coincides with the Nov. 8 feast day honoring the nation’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Thirty-Three.
Following Uruguay, Leo will travel to Argentina, where officials anticipate a turnout of approximately seven million people for his visit. This will be the first papal visit to Argentina since Pope John Paul II in 1987, and notably, Pope Francis—Leo’s Argentine predecessor who passed away in 2025—did not return to his homeland after his election, reportedly to avoid exacerbating political divisions. Argentina’s current libertarian President Javier Milei, whom Leo will meet during the trip, has had a contentious relationship with the Catholic Church, once labeling Francis “the representative of evil on Earth.” Milei’s government has implemented significant spending cuts, including reductions in disability funding, which contrasts with the church’s traditional emphasis on social justice.
During his time in Buenos Aires, Leo is scheduled to visit the Don Orione care home in Claypole, a Catholic institution providing shelter for more than 300 people with disabilities. This visit carries political significance given recent austerity measures affecting social services. At a press briefing, Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stated there were “no fundamental differences” between the government and the Catholic Church, highlighting Milei’s opposition to abortion and citing poverty reduction efforts as common ground. Leo will also celebrate Mass at the Monumento de los Españoles in Buenos Aires, a site with historical importance linked to John Paul’s visits during the Falklands War.
The final and arguably most personal leg of the trip will take Leo back to Peru, particularly to his former diocese of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop from 2014 until 2023 before being called to the Vatican. There, he will celebrate Mass at sites significant to his ministry, including a large gathering at Pampas de Pimentel, a coastal area expected to draw around one million people. He will also visit a renovated chapel dedicated to St. Oscar Romero, known for his advocacy for the poor, whose restoration was initiated during Leo’s tenure in Chiclayo.
The pope’s itinerary in Peru includes stops in Cusco, a city rich with Indigenous and colonial history, where he will celebrate Mass in the main square, a place historically linked to the 1781 execution of Indigenous leader Túpac Amaru II. On the same day, Leo will travel to Pucallpa in the Amazon region to honor Peru’s Indigenous peoples with a special Mass, underlining his focus on social justice and solidarity with marginalized communities.
Overall, Pope Leo XIV’s Latin American tour is set to emphasize themes of social justice, Indigenous rights, and pastoral care, while navigating the complex political landscapes of the countries he visits.