Pope Leo begins Latin America tour after operation
The pope visits Uruguay, Argentina and Peru during a twelve-day trip beginning shortly after his lung cancer operation.
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Pope Leo XIV left Rome on Friday for a twelve-day trip through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The visit begins several weeks after an operation for lung cancer. It is unclear whether the interval is exactly three weeks. The trip may show how his recovery is progressing.
The pope is travelling first to Montevideo, where he is scheduled to stay for three days. He will then go to Argentina and Peru; in the latter country he worked for years as a missionary and bishop. The trip runs until 17 November and takes him to ten cities.
The Vatican said earlier this week that there were no longer any medical objections to the trip. According to Reuters, the Vatican said Leo had fully recovered from his operation and that no special precautions were needed for the journey. Associated Press writes at the same time that the 71-year-old pope is still recovering and will have medical support available during the trip.
In Uruguay, Leo will meet President Yamandú Orsi and speak with government officials and diplomats. He will also visit Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida, celebrate Masses and go to a neighbourhood in Montevideo where, according to AP, drug-related violence is a problem. It is the first papal visit to Uruguay since 1988.
The choice of Uruguay also carries social significance. The country is considered one of the most secular in Latin America. Uruguay legalised recreational cannabis use and same-sex marriage and was the first country in the region to introduce euthanasia legislation. The Catholic Church opposes abortion and euthanasia; AP expects Leo to speak during his visit about human dignity and the protection of life.
After Uruguay, the pope will travel to Argentina on 8 November, where he will visit Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. The visit carries added significance because Argentina is the birthplace of his predecessor, Pope Francis. According to the Vatican, the last papal visit to Argentina was in 1987.
On 11 November, Leo will go to Peru, where he will stay until 17 November. He will visit, among other places, Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco and Pucallpa. The trip is therefore not only a diplomatic visit, but also a return to places that shaped his career. The Vatican says Leo will give about forty speeches in Spanish; Reuters cites 36 speeches and a travel distance of about 31,000 kilometres. It is unclear why the figures differ.
For the Netherlands, the trip is chiefly relevant as a signal of the new pope’s direction and the role he assigns himself in Latin America. Its concrete political consequences cannot yet be established. Religious influence, secularisation, social inequality and regional instability do, however, converge in a visit being watched especially closely because of the recent operation.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Pope Leo XIV is visiting Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November.
- The trip begins shortly after an operation for lung cancer.
- Uruguay is more secular than many other Latin American countries and has legislation opposed by the Catholic Church.
- During the trip, the pope will meet religious and political representatives.
Left
Arguments A left-wing approach emphasises that the pope can place social inequality, violence and human dignity at the centre, but should remain critical of Church positions on abortion, euthanasia and sexual diversity.
Values Equality, individual autonomy, social protection and separation of church and state.
Consequences The trip may bring social problems into focus, but can also create tension when religious views are presented as a public norm.
Centre
Arguments An institutional approach sees the trip chiefly as a diplomatic and pastoral visit centred on dialogue with governments, believers and non-believers.
Values Dialogue, continuity, stability and respect for national institutions.
Consequences The pope can contribute to connection as a discussion partner, while concrete political influence remains limited.
Right
Arguments A right-wing approach emphasises the value of religious tradition, community spirit and the protection of human life, and may support the pope when he speaks out against further secularisation.
Values Tradition, social cohesion, responsibility and protection of life.
Consequences A clear religious message can mobilise Catholic communities, but may clash with liberal legislation and secular public institutions.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts about the departure date, route, medical background and programme have been confirmed by the Vatican, AP and Reuters. Differences between sources over the number of speeches are explicitly presented as a source discrepancy.
- confirmed Pope Leo XIV is leaving on 6 November 2026 for a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. — Confirmed by Reuters and Vatican News. source
- confirmed The trip begins several weeks after an operation for lung cancer. — Confirmed by AP and Reuters. source
- confirmed Uruguay is the first country on the trip and the site of the first papal visit there since 1988. — Confirmed by Vatican News. source
- confirmed Leo will meet Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi. — Mentioned by AP. source
- confirmed The trip includes about forty speeches according to the Vatican and 36 according to Reuters. — Both figures are directly attributed to the relevant source. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the trip begins on 6 November 2026 and visits Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The Vatican and Reuters differ in their sources on the number of speeches; both figures have therefore been attributed and no definitive conclusion has been drawn.Sources
- After cancer surgery, Pope Leo embarks on Latin America trip with a first stop in secular Uruguay — Associated Press
- Vatican presents Pope Leo's Apostolic Journey to Latin America — Vatican News
- Pope Leo starts South America ‘homecoming’ tour a month after lung surgery — Reuters via Internazionale
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „paus leo xiv”
- NOS — „paus leo xiv”
- Het Parool — „paus leo xiv”