Pope Leo XIV is set to undertake a significant 12-day, three-nation tour of Latin America, marking the longest and most extensive journey of his pontificate. This trip comes only three weeks after the pope underwent surgery for lung cancer. The U.S.-born pontiff, formerly Robert Prevost, will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and his beloved home country, Peru.
Leo, who holds Peruvian citizenship, lived and worked as a missionary priest in Peru for two decades. He has expressed a deep personal connection to the Peruvian people, having previously mentioned them in Spanish from St. Peter's Basilica upon his election. The trip also includes a stop in Argentina, the homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Francis never returned to Argentina after his election, leaving a complex legacy that Leo will now navigate.
The journey begins in Uruguay, a nation known for its secularism, where major Catholic holidays are officially observed under different names. Despite the secular landscape, Leo is anticipated to draw large crowds and is expected to address key issues relevant to his papacy, including economic injustice, the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples and the Amazon region, and the ongoing issue of clergy sexual abuse within the church.
His confirmation of this demanding trip so soon after his Oct. 13 surgery to remove a cancerous tumor has drawn significant attention. Doctors confirmed that Leo required no further treatment and that the trip, involving extensive travel across 31,000 kilometers, was feasible. The Vatican stated that no special medical provisions beyond standard papal travel arrangements are planned, even for his visit to Cusco, Peru, which is at a high altitude.
The final stop in Peru, particularly in Chiclayo, Leo's former diocese, is highly anticipated. He led the diocese from 2015 until he was called to Rome by Pope Francis. Leo has spoken about how Peru was instrumental in shaping his understanding of faith and his pastoral approach.
In Argentina, the visit is expected to be politically sensitive. Differences in style and priorities between the reserved Leo and the libertarian President Javier Milei, who has previously made critical remarks about Pope Francis, are noteworthy. Discussions may also touch upon Argentina's efforts to attract AI investment, an area of concern for Leo regarding its impact on humanity and the environment.
The trip's opening in Uruguay presents a unique context, given the country's progressive social policies, including the legalization of marijuana, decriminalization of abortion, and legalization of same-sex marriage. The country also recently approved assisted dying legislation, overriding strong Catholic opposition. Despite Uruguay's secular nature, Leo is expected to engage with the populace, potentially encouraging a reconsideration of the church's role and presence.