Pope Leo XIV arrives in Montevideo to open 12-day Latin America visit

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Montevideo on Friday, 6 November 2026, opening a 12-day Apostolic Journey to Latin America that will take him through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The trip runs from 6 to 17 November and marks his sixth international journey since the start of the papacy.

Key facts

• The Apostolic Journey runs from 6 to 17 November 2026 — 12 days in total
• Countries visited: Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
• The Pope is expected to make approximately a dozen flights and visit ten cities
• Nearly 40 addresses are expected, delivered in Spanish
• The visit opened with a welcome ceremony in Independence Square, Montevideo

How did the journey begin?

The aircraft carrying Pope Leo XIV and accompanying journalists left Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 7:05 AM on Friday and landed in Montevideo at 8:19 PM Rome time.

What is on the programme in Uruguay?

The Montevideo schedule starts with a welcome ceremony at 5:30 PM local time in Independence Square. After that, the Pope is due to meet representatives of the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, and to visit the President of the Republic of Uruguay.

Later, Pope Leo will celebrate Vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Saints Philip and James. The published programme also lists an arrival at Florida Cathedral with a popemobile tour and a Holy Mass in Florida, Uruguay, followed by a farewell ceremony in Montevideo on 8 November.

Where does the trip go next?

After Uruguay, the Pope travels to Argentina, visiting Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. He then continues to Peru, where the cities on the itinerary are Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.

What this means for travellers

Travellers in Montevideo can expect papal events in the city centre on 6 November, including the Independence Square welcome ceremony, and further events in Florida, Uruguay and a farewell in Montevideo on 8 November. Visitors planning to be in those places at those times may wish to check the published schedule when arranging their movements.

The journey continues until 17 November 2026, with Argentina next on the itinerary.