Pope Leo XIV Begins Historic 12-Day South America Tour in Uruguay
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Monday, launching a 12-day, three-country pilgrimage across South America—his longest and most ambitious international trip to date and his first major overseas visit since undergoing lung cancer surgery last month. The journey will also take him to Argentina and Peru, marking a significant return to a continent where Catholics represent a far larger share of the population than in Europe. His arrival in Uruguay sets the stage for a closely watched tour that blends pastoral outreach with delicate political and social realities.
The welcome ceremony outside Montevideo’s main cathedral was presided over by Uruguay’s left-wing President Yamandú Orsi, underscoring the strict separation of church and state that distinguishes Uruguay from its neighbors. Unlike in Argentina and Peru, where the Church holds a more prominent public role, Uruguay’s secular tradition meant the pope’s reception was notably civic in tone. Nevertheless, the faithful turned out in force to greet the pontiff, whose visit is seen as a gesture of closeness to a region where the Church continues to grapple with declining vocations and shifting social attitudes.
Pope Leo’s itinerary also carries deep personal and historical weight. In Peru, where he served as a priest during the Fujimori dictatorship, he was openly critical of military violence and human rights abuses and supported efforts that led to the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission after democracy was restored. His visit there is expected to resonate strongly with victims of past repression and with those who continue to seek justice. The Vatican has confirmed that his programme will remain unchanged despite his recent surgery, signaling the pope’s determination to complete the full schedule.
In Argentina, the pope will visit the homeland of his predecessor, a stop that holds symbolic importance for a nation where Catholicism remains deeply embedded in national identity. Throughout the trip, Pope Leo is expected to address themes of peace, social justice, and reconciliation, while also acknowledging the challenges facing the Church in a region marked by inequality and political polarization. As he boards the papal plane and waves to well-wishers, the eyes of South America—and the world—are fixed on this landmark journey, which promises to strengthen ties between the Vatican and a continent that has long been central to the Catholic faith.
Shimanta Das 
