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Pope Leo XIV to Embark on 11-Day Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
On 5 August 2026, the Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV will lead an 11‑day apostolic journey across Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November 2026. The pontiff will visit ten cities in the three countries, marking his first trip to Latin America and his sixth international visit since taking office.
The itinerary begins in Uruguay, where the Pope will spend three days in Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. He will then head to Argentina for four days, stopping in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. The final leg takes him to Peru for six days, with visits to Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
Uruguay is notable for having the lowest Catholic penetration in the region, with only about 36 % of its population identifying as Catholic. This makes the Pope’s visit historic; it is the first time a reigning pontiff has travelled to the country.
Argentina, the homeland of Pope Francis, has never hosted a papal visit during his 12‑year pontificate. The trip therefore carries symbolic weight for Argentine Catholics, who represent roughly 63 % of the nation’s population.
Peru holds a special place in Pope Leo XIV’s life. He first arrived as a missionary in the 1980s, served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, and later became a Peruvian citizen. His personal ties to the Peruvian Church are likely to shape the tone of his engagements there.
The journey will cover roughly 2,500 kilometres and follows earlier visits to Monaco in March, Spain in June and an African tour that began in April. While the Vatican has not yet released the exact dates of Masses or audiences, the press office confirmed that the Pope will travel to ten cities over eleven days.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, was elected in the 2025 conclave. He is the first pope born in the United States and the first to hold Peruvian citizenship. Prior to his election he served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
The Holy See confirmed the trip after receiving invitations from the heads of state and ecclesiastical authorities of the three countries. The visit is expected to include Masses, audiences with local bishops and meetings with civil leaders.
Catholics in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru form part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope. In Uruguay, Catholics make up about 36 % of the population; in Argentina, the share is roughly 63 %; and in Peru, Catholics constitute an estimated 76 % of the population.
The trip is significant for the Latin American Church, a region that has seen a decline in regular attendance but remains a major centre of Catholic life. Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on synodality, missionary dialogue and social issues such as migration and climate change will likely shape the tone of his visits.
The Vatican has not yet released details on the specific dates of Masses or audiences, but the press office confirmed that the Pope will travel to ten cities over eleven days.
The journey is expected to strengthen ties between the Holy See and the three countries, and to provide an opportunity for the Pope to address issues of particular relevance to Latin America, including social justice, environmental stewardship and the rights of migrants.
The trip will conclude on 17 November 2026, after which the Pope will return to Rome. No further travel plans for the remainder of 2026 have been confirmed.
The Apostolic Journey will be covered by Vatican News and other outlets, and the Vatican will likely issue statements and press releases following each stop.
The itinerary begins in Uruguay, where the Pope will spend three days in Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. He will then head to Argentina for four days, stopping in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. The final leg takes him to Peru for six days, with visits to Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
Uruguay is notable for having the lowest Catholic penetration in the region, with only about 36 % of its population identifying as Catholic. This makes the Pope’s visit historic; it is the first time a reigning pontiff has travelled to the country.
Argentina, the homeland of Pope Francis, has never hosted a papal visit during his 12‑year pontificate. The trip therefore carries symbolic weight for Argentine Catholics, who represent roughly 63 % of the nation’s population.
Peru holds a special place in Pope Leo XIV’s life. He first arrived as a missionary in the 1980s, served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, and later became a Peruvian citizen. His personal ties to the Peruvian Church are likely to shape the tone of his engagements there.
The journey will cover roughly 2,500 kilometres and follows earlier visits to Monaco in March, Spain in June and an African tour that began in April. While the Vatican has not yet released the exact dates of Masses or audiences, the press office confirmed that the Pope will travel to ten cities over eleven days.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, was elected in the 2025 conclave. He is the first pope born in the United States and the first to hold Peruvian citizenship. Prior to his election he served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
The Holy See confirmed the trip after receiving invitations from the heads of state and ecclesiastical authorities of the three countries. The visit is expected to include Masses, audiences with local bishops and meetings with civil leaders.
Catholics in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru form part of the worldwide Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope. In Uruguay, Catholics make up about 36 % of the population; in Argentina, the share is roughly 63 %; and in Peru, Catholics constitute an estimated 76 % of the population.
The trip is significant for the Latin American Church, a region that has seen a decline in regular attendance but remains a major centre of Catholic life. Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on synodality, missionary dialogue and social issues such as migration and climate change will likely shape the tone of his visits.
The Vatican has not yet released details on the specific dates of Masses or audiences, but the press office confirmed that the Pope will travel to ten cities over eleven days.
The journey is expected to strengthen ties between the Holy See and the three countries, and to provide an opportunity for the Pope to address issues of particular relevance to Latin America, including social justice, environmental stewardship and the rights of migrants.
The trip will conclude on 17 November 2026, after which the Pope will return to Rome. No further travel plans for the remainder of 2026 have been confirmed.
The Apostolic Journey will be covered by Vatican News and other outlets, and the Vatican will likely issue statements and press releases following each stop.
