Pope Leo XIV's Latin America Tour Includes First Papal Visit to Uruguay in 40 Years

Pope Leo XIV has begun one of the most demanding itineraries of his pontificate, embarking on a 12-day, three-nation tour of Latin America just three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous lung tumor. According to the BBC ^[1], the Vatican insists no extraordinary health measures are being taken, describing the 71-year-old as a man who has undergone an operation rather than someone with a permanent medical condition.

The trip covers approximately 19,000 miles, involving a dozen flights and two helicopter rides, as reported by NBC News ^[3]. Leo departed Rome early Friday, with his first stop being Uruguay, where he is receiving the country’s first papal visit in four decades. The Independent noted ^[2] that Uruguay is the most secular nation in Latin America, having legalized marijuana and assisted dying, making it a stark contrast to the traditional Catholic strongholds Leo will visit later.

Leo’s journey is billed as a “homecoming,” particularly for Peru, where he lived for nearly 20 years as a missionary priest and holds citizenship. The Vatican’s communications chief, Maria Montserrat Alvarado, told reporters that Leo is “extremely enthusiastic” and personally confirmed the schedule without changes ^[2]. He will visit his former diocese of Chiclayo and travel to Cusco, where he will say Mass at an altitude of 3,400 meters.

The political landscape presents its own challenges. In Argentina, Leo will meet with President Javier Milei, who previously called Pope Francis “evil on earth” and a “communist.” CBS News reported ^[4] that Leo, who is also a proud American, recently voted in a U.S. election. Despite the historical tensions, Milei has publicly welcomed the Pope, stating that Argentina awaits his arrival with “immense joy” ^[1].

Throughout the tour, Leo is scheduled to meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse, an issue that clouded his predecessor’s visits to the region. Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University told the BBC ^[1] that the trip signals a reconnection of the papacy with Latin America, addressing issues like economic injustice and the plight of Indigenous peoples. As Leo navigates the Andes and the Amazon, the Vatican’s message remains clear: the cancer was a short episode, and the Pope is back on track.