Pope Leo XIV’s South American trip includes stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17. (Foto: Instagram)
Pope Leo XIV began an apostolic trip to South America on Friday, Nov. 6, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru through Nov. 17. The itinerary, released by the Vatican, includes religious services and meetings with political leaders, civil society representatives, young people, clergy and local communities in several cities. The trip comes less than a month after Leo was diagnosed with lung cancer. Planned highlights include a visit to a penitentiary complex in Argentina and meetings with representatives of Indigenous Amazonian communities in Peru.
Leo’s Uruguay visit runs from Nov. 6 to 8. In Montevideo on Friday, he is scheduled to receive an official welcome, attend a ceremony at Plaza Independencia, meet government officials including the president, and participate in a service at the Metropolitan Cathedral. The next day, he will travel to Paysandú to celebrate Mass at Parque París Londres. Back in Montevideo, he is due to visit the Casavalle social community at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and meet members of the educational community at the Catholic University of Uruguay. The day is set to conclude with a prayer vigil at Centenario Stadium.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Leo is scheduled to visit Florida, Uruguay, and celebrate Mass outside the Cathedral Basilica of Florida, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three. After lunch with bishops, he will leave Uruguay for Buenos Aires. In Argentina, where he is scheduled to stay through Nov. 11, Leo will visit the Monument to General San Martín and the Armies of Independence in Plaza San Martín. His Buenos Aires program also includes a welcome ceremony at the Casa Rosada, a visit to the president and meetings with officials, civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps.
On Monday, Nov. 9, the pope is scheduled to visit staff and residents of the Little Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole and celebrate Mass at the Monumento de los Españoles. He will also meet members of the working community at the Catholic University of Argentina and leaders of Christian communities and other religious traditions at the San Martín Palace. The following day, he will travel to Córdoba for Mass at the Military Aviation School and a meeting with clergy and pastoral workers at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Back in Buenos Aires, he will attend a youth prayer vigil at the Monumento de los Españoles.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Leo is scheduled to visit the Buenos Aires Federal Penitentiary Complex and celebrate Mass in the plaza outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. He will then depart for Lima, beginning his visit to Peru, which runs through Nov. 16. After an official welcome and ceremony at the Government Palace, he is scheduled to visit the president and meet with officials, civil society representatives and diplomats. On Nov. 12, his agenda includes meetings with bishops, clergy and members of synodal teams, as well as a gathering outside Lima Cathedral on challenges and prospects for Peru’s future. A prayer vigil with young people and university students is planned for that evening at the National Stadium.
On Nov. 13, Leo will travel to Chiclayo for Mass near the Pampas de Pimentel, a private visit to San Óscar A. Romero Chapel and meetings with clergy and members of the university community. The next day’s events include the crowning of the Immaculate Virgin at Santa María Cathedral, Mass in Santa Cruz de Succhabamba and a prayer gathering marking the end of the Jubilee Year of St. Toribio de Mogrovejo. On Nov. 15, the pope is scheduled to visit Cusco and Pucallpa. In Cusco, he will meet with the faithful and representatives of popular devotion at the Saqsaywaman National Archaeological Park and pray the Angelus in front of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. In Pucallpa, he will meet missionaries and representatives of Amazonian peoples at the Puerto Callao waterfront and celebrate Mass at the Ucayali Regional Sports Complex before returning to Lima.
On Nov. 16, Leo is scheduled to visit staff and residents at a shelter run by the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly, celebrate Mass at Las Palmas Air Base and attend a farewell ceremony in Callao before departing for Rome. His arrival in the Italian capital is expected on Tuesday, Nov. 17, concluding the South American trip.
