What to know about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru

Pope Leo XIV is embarking on a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, marking the longest and farthest journey of his papacy. The Nov. 6-17 pilgrimage comes shortly after the pontiff underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung, yet doctors gave him the green light to proceed.

The extended visit is a testament to the enduring presence of Catholicism in Latin America, where around 40% of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics reside. However, the religious landscape has shifted in recent years, with the Catholic proportion of the population declining, particularly in the countries Leo will visit.

During his journey, Pope Leo will make stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru. In Uruguay, known for its strong secular identity and separation of church and state, Christmas is officially designated as "Family Day" and Holy Week as "Tourism Week." Despite this, nearly 77% of Uruguay's 3.5 million people are baptized Catholics, though only a fraction regularly attend Mass.

The Pope will visit a parish in Casavalle, a poor neighborhood in Montevideo grappling with drug trafficking and gang violence. Local and municipal authorities collaborate with the church to address issues such as housing and addiction recovery. Additionally, Leo will celebrate Mass in Paysandú, chosen for its accessibility to those living north of the Río Negro and proximity to the Argentine city of Colón.

Marking an important Catholic feast day, Nov. 8, Pope Leo will pay homage to the Virgin of the Thirty-three, the patron of Uruguay and a symbol of the country's history and patriotism. This visit aims to emphasize that even in a secular nation, faith remains relevant.

In Argentina, Leo's visit comes amidst a legacy of polarizing leadership under Pope Francis. Despite his predecessor's strained relations with the country's government, Pope Leo will formally honor his predecessor at Buenos Aires' cathedral and in a symbolic gesture at the prison where then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio ministered to inmates. The visit will also include interactions with Argentine President Javier Milei, whose contentious policies have strained relations with the Catholic Church.

Leo's journey through Peru will further underscore the enduring role of Catholicism in the region, despite shifting demographics and evolving political landscapes.