Pope Leo Confirms Latin America Trip

Less than two weeks after lung cancer surgery, Pope Leo XIV says he is going back to the continent he knows so well. He confirmed on Monday that he will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November.

The pope, who is 71, posted the message on Monday 26 October 2026 on his Spanish-language X account, @Pontifex_es. He wrote: “It fills me with joy to return to the continent where I have lived so many moments of my life.”

He added: “May this journey be an occasion to open our hearts to one another.” The Holy See Press Office, the Vatican’s official spokesman’s office, said the same day that there are no medical contraindications to the journey going ahead as planned.

For US readers, this matters because Leo is the first US-born pope. The United States has a large Catholic community, and many of its members will follow the journey.

What We Know

The Holy See Press Office announced the trip on 5 August 2026. Its director, Matteo Bruni, said it would run from 6 to 17 November.

Uruguay comes first, from 6 to 8 November, with stops in Montevideo, Paysandú and the town of Florida. Argentina follows from 8 to 11 November, with visits to Buenos Aires, Córdoba and the pilgrimage town of Luján.

Peru closes the journey from 11 to 17 November, with stops in Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa. At about a week, it is the longest of the three stops.

This is the pope’s sixth international trip. It is also the first papal visit to Argentina and Uruguay in almost 40 years.

Leo spent years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, so the final leg of the trip is a personal one. His own message speaks of returning to the continent where he has lived so many moments of his life.

The Health Question

On Tuesday 13 October 2026 the pope had the lower lobe of his right lung removed, as we reported at the time. The surgery confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

He left hospital and returned to the Vatican on Saturday 17 October. His surgeon, Dr Stefano Margaritora of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, said: “As for a long trip involving air travel in about three weeks, I would say there are no clinical reasons why it should not take place.”

The programme is demanding, with about a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes. Cusco, one of the Peruvian stops, sits high in the Andes.

The Vatican’s statement points the same way. The surgeon’s view and the Holy See therefore agree on the main point.

What Is Not Known

It is not known whether any events will be shortened or changed as the pope recovers. The Holy See has not said that any will be.

The Vatican has not said how the pope’s doctors will monitor him during the trip. Travellers should therefore treat the timetable as provisional, as we reported earlier this month.

What It Means for Travelers and US Readers

Travellers heading to Lima, Cusco, Chiclayo, Buenos Aires or Montevideo around these dates should confirm flights and hotels directly with airlines and hotels. They should check the official programme before fixing plans.

Demand is already strong, because Uruguay’s tickets sold out in three hours. In Peru, the government has also given workers days off for the visit.

For US Catholics, the trip puts the first US-born pope on the continent he knows best. Readers can follow the background in our hubs for Peru, Argentina and Uruguay.

Entry rules and local advice differ by country. Checking them before booking is sensible for any traveller.

The trip starts on Friday 6 November. For now, the Vatican’s statement and the surgeon’s assessment are the facts on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Pope Leo XIV visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru?

He will travel from 6 to 17 November 2026. Uruguay comes first from 6 to 8 November, then Argentina from 8 to 11 November and Peru from 11 to 17 November.

Is the pope healthy enough to travel?

The Holy See Press Office says there are no contraindications. His surgeon, Dr Stefano Margaritora, said there are no clinical reasons why the trip should not take place.

Which cities will the pope visit?

In Uruguay: Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. In Argentina: Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján, and in Peru: Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.

Why does the trip matter to US readers?

Leo XIV is the first US-born pope, and this is his sixth international trip. It is also the first papal visit to Argentina and Uruguay in almost 40 years.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief