Pope Leo XIV arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 6 to begin a 12-day trip to Latin America, his longest and farthest papal journey to date. The visit, which includes stops in Argentina and Peru, comes three weeks after he underwent surgery on October 13 to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung.
Doctors cleared the 71-year-old pope for travel, and Vatican communications chief Maria Montserrat Alvar stated that his recovery has progressed well. "His stamina is fantastic. The way that he's singing is incredible. And you can only sing if your lungs are really strong," she said. The Vatican confirmed that medical staff will accompany the pope throughout the trip.
The itinerary includes a visit to Casavalle, a neighborhood in Montevideo affected by gang violence and drug trafficking, where Leo will meet with local church and government officials. He will also celebrate Mass in Paysandú and Florida, cities selected for their accessibility to rural communities.
Uruguay’s secular identity is a focal point of the visit. Though 77% of Uruguay’s 3.5 million people are baptized Catholics, more than half identify as religiously unaffiliated—the highest proportion in Latin America. The country’s separation of church and state is reflected in official holidays, with Christmas designated as “Family Day” and Holy Week as “Tourism Week.”
The trip continues to Argentina and Peru, where Leo served as a missionary priest and bishop for two decades. The Vatican described the journey as an opportunity to reconnect with his pastoral roots and engage with local Catholic communities amid declining religious affiliation in the region.
Leo’s health remains a central topic, with Alvar emphasizing that his doctors are confident in his ability to complete the trip. The pope’s schedule includes public appearances, meetings with local leaders, and religious ceremonies, all while under close medical supervision.
Latin America is home to 40% of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, but the region has seen a decline in religious affiliation in recent years. The Vatican framed the trip as a chance to address contemporary challenges through faith, though observers note the challenges posed by Uruguay’s secular culture.
The visit marks the first papal trip to Uruguay since 1988, underscoring the significance of Leo’s presence in a country where Catholic practice has waned despite historical ties to the faith.