A delegation from the Vatican arrived in Uruguay this Tuesday to finalize the preparations for the first Latin American tour of Pope Leo XIV, which, in addition to that country, will include Argentina and Peru, with an official announcement expected by the end of July.
The visit to the South American country was confirmed by Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, during a press conference held at the headquarters of the Uruguayan Episcopal Conference, as reported by ACI Prensa.
"The Pope is coming in November," Sturla stated, dispelling the rumors that had surrounded the anticipated tour for months.
According to the cardinal, the trip will take place between November 5 or 6 and November 10 or 16, and it will mark Pope León XIV's first visit to the American continent since his election as pontiff in May 2025.
Although the Vatican has not yet released the final itinerary, Sturla stated that there are "many indications" that Uruguay will be the first country on the tour.
"Our desire is to be the first ones visited (...) and a little bit, we can say, there are many signs that it will be so," he expressed.
The archbishop announced that Montevideo and the department of Florida are already part of the program, while a potential visit to Paysandú is still under evaluation.
"The idea is for him to go to a department in the north; it might be Paysandú, but since it's not confirmed, we shouldn't raise false expectations," he explained.
One of the most anticipated moments could take place on November 8, when León XIV will preside over a mass in Florida to celebrate the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, patroness of Uruguay.
"It would be a tremendous gift for the Virgin and for all of us who can celebrate Holy Mass with the Pope there," Sturla commented.
In Montevideo, the Vatican delegation has already inspected the Casavalle area, where there is a high probability that the Pope will visit the El Borro neighborhood, known for the extensive social work of the Catholic Church.
"It is important that they get to know those works and that the people living there can meet the Holy Father," the cardinal noted.
During his stay, León XIV will hold a private meeting with President Yamandú Orsi, who personally delivered the invitation to the pontiff during a visit to the Vatican.
Instead, no intervention is planned before the Uruguayan Parliament. Sturla explained that the decision is in line with the tradition of the Holy See to avoid situations that could lead to political controversy.
"The Pope is a unifying factor, and if something provokes controversy, he will surely not speak in Parliament," he asserted.
"They don’t know what’s coming for them."
To the conference also attended Yago de la Cierva, professor and coordinator of the recent visit of León XIV to Spain, who anticipated the impact that the trip would have.
"What I am here to tell you is that you have no idea what is coming your way," he said, though he clarified that the final itinerary and dates still need to be officially confirmed by the Vatican.
The visit will make León XIV the first pope to set foot in Uruguay in 38 years, since the historic trip of John Paul II in 1988.
During Pope Francis's papacy, from 2013 to 2025, the country never received a papal visit, an absence that Sturla reminded the new pontiff of shortly after his election.
"Holy Father, we await you. Francis did not visit Uruguay or Argentina, so we are waiting for you," he recounted.
For the cardinal, the arrival of León XIV transcends the religious sphere. "The coming of the Pope is a great joy for the Church, but also for the entire country," he concluded, confident that Uruguay will welcome the pontiff "with open arms."
Related videos:
Filed under: