Pope Leo XIV Departs for Uruguay to Begin Three-Nation Latin America Tour

Pope Leo XIV departed Rome on November 6 to begin a twelve-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The ITA Airways aircraft carrying him and accompanying journalists left Fiumicino International Airport at 07:05 local time. The November 6–17 trip is his sixth international apostolic journey, with Uruguay the first destination. He is scheduled to arrive at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport at approximately 16:30 local time on Friday. A welcome ceremony in Montevideo's Independence Square is planned for 17:30, followed by an encounter with authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. He is then due to meet President Yamandú Orsi at 18:15 in Edificio José Artigas. Evening worship is planned at the city's metropolitan cathedral. Presenting the itinerary on November 3, Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni said the journey would involve approximately a dozen flights, ten cities and around forty addresses, all in Spanish. Communication prefect Maria Montserrat Alvarado said: “He personally confirmed this trip, with no changes.” Bruni described the visit's message as one of communion and unity, with opportunities to encounter each country's people, history, social circumstances and faith. The Uruguay leg runs through November 8 and includes Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. The Argentina programme, November 8–11, covers Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. The Peru leg, November 11–17, includes Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa, returning Leo to a country where he previously carried out missionary and pastoral work. The Vatican's briefing described the journey as the first papal visit to Uruguay since John Paul II's in 1988 and to Argentina since 1987.