Uruguay to open Pope Leo XIV's first South American tour

Uruguay is set to welcome Pope Leo XIV for a ten-city tour across South America, beginning on November 6th and concluding on November 17th. Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced the details, revealing that the pontiff will spend his first three days in Uruguay, visiting Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida.

Following his three-day stay in Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Argentina for a four-day visit, including stops in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján. He will then proceed to Peru, where he will be present for five days, visiting Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Pucallpa. This is the longest international trip of Pope Leo XIV's papacy, surpassing the African tour in April.

The Vatican stated that he accepted invitations from the heads of state and church authorities in all three countries, and a detailed program will be released later. The last papal visit to Uruguay occurred nearly four decades ago, under John Paul II in 1987 and 1988. Uruguay, a country with a predominantly secular government, is experiencing its first papal visit since 1988.

President Yamandú Orsi expressed his optimism, stating that the visit signifies a positive message for the region amidst ongoing challenges. During a Vatican audience in October, Pope Leo XIV and his team reviewed Uruguay's euthanasia law and discussed their perspectives. The president mentioned that the Pope's understanding of Uruguay's political landscape was evident, affirming the Vatican's significance as a center of political decision-making.

In Argentina, the interministerial team led by presidential spokesman Adrián Ravier will coordinate logistics, security, and protocol for the Pope's arrival. Argentina and Uruguay were not visited by Pope Francis during his twelve-year pontificate, with the last trip to the region occurring in Panama in January 2019. Peru had not hosted a Pope since 2018.

Robert Francis Prevost, a Peruvian citizen born in Chicago, served as a missionary in Peru and led the Chiclayo diocese from 2015 to 2023. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori expressed anticipation for the Pope's arrival, welcoming him with open hearts.