Pope Leo XIV will return to Peru in November as part of his first major trip to Latin America since becoming pope.
The Pope Leo XIV Peru visit will form the longest part of his 12-day journey through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17. The Vatican has now released the detailed programme for the trip.
The journey will take the pope through 10 cities and give him an opportunity to revisit places closely connected to his years as a missionary and bishop.
Pope Leo XIV Begins Trip in Uruguay
Leo XIV will begin his South American journey in Uruguay on November 6.
He will visit Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida before leaving the country on November 8. The visit will be the first papal trip to Uruguay since Pope John Paul II visited in 1988.
In Florida, Leo will celebrate Mass at the National Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, Uruguay’s patroness.
The pope’s visit will also include meetings with government officials, civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps.
Argentina Welcomes Pope Leo XIV
From November 8 to 11, Leo will travel through Argentina, visiting Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján.
The visit carries particular significance because Argentina was the home country of Pope Francis, who died in 2025.
Francis never returned to Argentina during his papacy. His decision not to visit his homeland attracted considerable attention, particularly because of the country’s political divisions.
Leo’s arrival will therefore mark the first papal visit to Argentina since John Paul II travelled there in 1987.
In Buenos Aires, Leo is scheduled to visit a federal prison, reflecting an area of pastoral ministry closely associated with Francis.
Pope Leo XIV Returns to His Peruvian Roots
The Pope Leo XIV Peru visit will begin on November 11 and continue until November 17.
Peru is especially important to Leo because he spent decades there as a missionary, priest and bishop. He later served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 until 2023 before Francis brought him to Rome to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops.
Leo will visit Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa during the Peruvian leg.
His return to Chiclayo is expected to be particularly meaningful because of his close ties to the diocese.
Chiclayo Holds Special Meaning
Leo has frequently spoken warmly about Chiclayo and its Catholic community.
After his election as pope, he addressed the diocese in Spanish and thanked its faithful for walking alongside him during his years as their bishop.
During the November visit, he will meet priests from the diocese and hold a private dinner with them.
The return will give Leo an opportunity to reconnect with people and places that shaped his pastoral career.
Visit to Peru’s Andes and Amazon
The pope’s itinerary will also take him beyond Peru’s major coastal cities.
In Cusco, he will meet popular groups and highlight the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. The city once served as the capital of the Inca Empire and remains one of Peru’s most important cultural destinations.
Leo will also travel to Pucallpa in the Amazon region.
There, he will celebrate Mass and meet Indigenous communities, bringing the papal visit into one of Peru’s most culturally and geographically diverse areas.
A Major Journey for Pope Leo XIV
The trip will cover thousands of kilometres and represents Leo’s most extensive international journey so far.
The Vatican says the pope will travel through three countries and 10 cities during the 12-day journey.
For Uruguay, the visit provides a rare opportunity to welcome a pope. For Argentina, it marks the return of a pontiff after almost four decades.
For Peru, however, the journey has an especially personal dimension.
The Pope Leo XIV Peru visit will bring the pontiff back to the country where he spent many years serving the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV’s Latin America Mission
The November journey will allow Leo to combine official meetings with pastoral visits and religious celebrations.
The Vatican has selected separate themes for each stage of the trip. Uruguay’s motto focuses on announcing joy, Argentina’s on welcoming people and proclaiming the faith, while Peru’s theme centres on opening hearts.
As a result, the journey will highlight both Leo’s international role as pope and his personal connection with Latin America.
His return to Peru is likely to be the emotional centre of the trip, particularly because of his long history with the country.
The journey will conclude in Peru on November 17, after which Leo will return to Rome.
