Pope Leo XIV arrived in South America on November 6 to begin an apostolic journey across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, testing his health just 13 weeks after undergoing lung surgery.
The Vatican confirmed the trip’s schedule despite prior health concerns regarding altitude changes, as reported by RTÉ.
The 68-year-old pontiff travelled to the region to visit a continent where he spent two decades as a missionary priest and bishop before moving to Rome in 2023. Latin America represents roughly 40% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, though local populations have experienced a shrinking proportion of practicing believers.
The first stop took the Pope to Uruguay, marking the country’s first papal visit in 38 years. Although approximately a third of Uruguayans identify as Catholic, tickets for papal events sold out rapidly. During his stay, the pontiff addressed social isolation and high suicide rates in a nation that serves as an export hub for cocaine heading to Europe and Africa.
The tour then moved to Argentina, the homeland of Pope Francis. An estimated 2.5 million people attended an open-air Mass in Buenos Aires, where President Javier Milei was also present.
The visit to Argentina highlighted ideological tensions between the pontiff and the country's president, with The Guardian noting that Milei is a hyper-capitalist who believes “those who compete the most should be rewarded”, whereas Pope Leo teaches that human worth is not tied to productivity.
The final leg of the journey brought the pontiff to Peru for an emotional homecoming following his years serving as a missionary priest and bishop. Millions of people lined the route to welcome the Pope, while he held private meetings with five survivors of abuse.
In meetings with Peruvian bishops, Pope Leo addressed the abuse scandals surrounding the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae.
“May the Lord’s blessing reach the hearts of each of you and all your loved ones, and may we always live with the joy of knowing that Christ calls us,” Pope Leo said on November 9, as reported by Vatican News.
Physicians cleared the pontiff to fly despite potential health complications from high altitudes in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, following lung surgery performed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital earlier in the autumn.
An estimated 2.5 million pilgrims gathered for the open-air Mass in Buenos Aires, with attendees climbing trees, fences, and lampposts to see the pontiff.
“We need to reconcile ourselves with our past and present, in order to build a new future where love has the final word,” Pope Leo said.
The Vatican officially suppressed and dissolved the organisation by decree in 2025 following sustained accusations of abuse and corruption involving its founder and leadership.
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