Pope Leo XIV will embark on his first trip to Latin America as pontiff in November, with planned visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, the Vatican announced Wednesday. The Nov. 6-17 journey marks a return to a region where the pontiff spent a significant portion of his ministry.
The itinerary includes stops in Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida in Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján in Argentina; and Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa in Peru. The Vatican confirmed that detailed scheduling information will be released at a later date.
This visit holds particular significance due to Pope Leo XIV's extensive ties to Peru. Before his election, the pontiff, who is the first U.S.-born pope, lived and worked in Peru for decades as a missionary and church leader, serving as the bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. He also holds Peruvian citizenship, making his return to Chiclayo, the diocese he previously led, a notable event.
Pope Leo XIV will also visit Argentina, the home country of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. Despite numerous invitations, Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, did not return to Argentina during his 12-year papacy.
The dates for the South American leg of his travels are as follows: Uruguay from Nov. 6-8, Argentina from Nov. 8-11, and Peru from Nov. 11-17.
This Latin American tour will follow Pope Leo XIV's Sept. 25-28 visit to France, which was his first trip to the country as pope. This upcoming travel schedule indicates an increasingly active period of international engagement in the early months of his pontificate.