By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-pope-leo-xivs-trip-to-uruguay-argentina-and-peru Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What to know about Pope Leo XIV's trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru World Nov 6, 2026 12:13 PM EST VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV is returning home to the continent where he spent two decades as a missionary priest and learned to be a pastor, visiting Uruguay, Argentina and his second homeland of Peru. The Nov. 6-17 trip marks the longest and farthest of his papacy and is coming just three weeks after Leo underwent surgery Oct. 13 to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. Doctors nevertheless gave him the green light to make the trip. READ MORE: Pope Leo XIV welcomes Bob Dylan to the Vatican in a brief visit Latin America still is home to around 40% of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, but the Catholic proportion of the region's population has shrunk in recent year s and the decreases are especially notable in the countries Leo will…
What to know about Pope Leo XIV's trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
In short
Pope Leo XIV's 11-day itinerary includes stops across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, representing the longest voyage of his papacy to date. In secular Uruguay, his schedule balances visits to impoverished communities like Casavalle with events honoring the nation's Catholic heritage. Moving into Argentina, the pontiff will honor the legacy of Pope Francis while navigating political friction with President Javier Milei over controversial state spending cuts.
Key points
- The papal journey addresses a shifting spiritual landscape in Latin America, where the Ca…: The papal journey addresses a shifting spiritual landscape in Latin America, where the Catholic share of the population has shrunk.
- Diplomatic tension looms in Argentina as the pope prepares to meet President Javier Milei…: Diplomatic tension looms in Argentina as the pope prepares to meet President Javier Milei following local church criticism over public spending cuts.
- The Argentine leg explicitly honors Pope Francis through targeted visits to the Buenos Ai…: The Argentine leg explicitly honors Pope Francis through targeted visits to the Buenos Aires cathedral and a federal prison.