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Vatican presents Pope Leo's Apostolic Journey to Latin America

12:35 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff and a naturalized citizen of Peru, will begin his apostolic journey to South America on November 6, 2026, despite undergoing lung cancer surgery earlier this month.

The Vatican announced that Leo will spend five of his 11 days in Peru, including two days in his former diocese of Chiclayo, where he spent almost half of his 43 years as a priest.

Leo's doctors confirmed he can fly to South America according to the previously released schedule, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru planned as stops for his Nov. 6-17 trip, the longest trip of the pontificate so far.

The pope will hold several meetings with victims of clerical sexual abuse during his visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, aiming to build paths of healing and ensure the Church is a safe and spiritually healthy place.

Peruvian organizers remain cautious and will provide a specialized ambulance to accompany the delegation at all times during the pope's visit to Peru.

The length of the journey will allow the pope to experience the diversity of each country, as he noted during a Q&A with press.

Pope Leo XIV will begin his journey by departing Rome on Nov. 6 at 7:50 a.m., and will pay a courtesy visit to the president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, at his residence at the Edificio José Artigas at 6:15 p.m.

The anticipation surrounding this trip is considerable, as it represents a long-awaited reunion with church communities that have not received a direct visit from a pope for decades.

The final and most extensive leg of the papal journey will take place in Peru, encompassing diverse cities that reflect the rich geographical and cultural diversity of the Andean nation.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his eagerness to return to the continent where he has experienced many moments of his life, and hopes the journey will be an occasion for opening hearts, strengthening communion, and renewing commitment to proclaiming the Gospel with joy.

Background

What's confirmed

• The first U.S.-born pontiff, Leo is also a naturalized citizen of Peru, where he spent almost half of his 43 years as a priest before becoming pope.
• The pope will spend five of his 11 days on the continent in Peru, two of them in his former diocese of Chiclayo.
• The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV will hold “several meetings” with victims of clerical sexual abuse during his apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6–17.
• Learn more Rome — October 26, 2026 Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email to a friend Print Two weeks after Pope Leo XIV's surgery for lung cancer, his doctor confirmed he can fly to South America according to the previously released schedule, with Uruguay, Argentina and Peru planned as stops for his Nov. 6-17 trip, the longest trip of the pontificate so far.
• The Pope is following medical recommendations with great care and diligence, and with a deep determination to continue serving the Church.
• According to the announcement, the pope will begin his journey by departing Rome on Nov. 6 at 7:50 a.m.
• At 6:15 p.m., the pope will pay a courtesy visit to the president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, at his residence at the Edificio José Artigas.
• The Vatican has published the schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Latin America, where he will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from Nov. 6–17.
• Pope Leo XIV is set to be the first pope to visit Uruguay since St.
• (OSV News) – Two weeks after Pope Leo XIV’s surgery for lung cancer, his doctor confirmed he can fly to South America according to the previously released schedule, with Uruguay, Argentina and Peru planned as stops for his Nov. 6-17 trip, the longest trip of the pontificate so far.
• “In the case of Santa Cruz, the possibility of having an ambulance helicopter is being considered in case of any eventuality. In addition to his own doctor, there will be a Peruvian doctor prepared to attend to any situation,” the prelate said of another high altitude town in the Andes Mountains, which the pope plans to visit Nov. 14.
• In between, the pope will travel to a new destination nearly every day, including a 2,200-mile flight from Buenos Aires to Lima and a military helicopter flight Nov. 14 to the Andes mountain town of Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, Peru.

What's still developing

• The Vatican said Friday that Leo would cancel a planned trip to Assisi on October 27, on the recommendation of his doctors.
• The peoples of Latin America have always welcomed the successors of Peter “with open arms, affection, and devotion,” according to Dr. Guzmán Carriquiry.
• “Based on his current clinical status, as well as the instrumental and laboratory tests performed, there are no contraindications that would prevent him from undertaking his upcoming apostolic journey to Latin America as planned,” Dr. Luigi Carbone, the papal doctor said in a statement released by the Holy See Press Office Oct. 26.
• The journey begins Nov. 6 with a flight of more than 14 hours and 6,900 miles from Rome to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Sources

• Catholic World Reportlink
• EWTN Vaticanlink
• Ewtnnewslink
• National Catholic Reporterlink
• ZENIT - Englishlink
• Angelusnewslink
• Batimeslink
• Aciafricalink
• Vaticannewslink
• Ncregisterlink
• Ewtnnewslink
• Dioceseofscrantonlink
• Exaudilink
• OSV Newslink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV to Tour South America Despite Cancer Surgery link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Set for South America Tour After Cancer Surgery link