POPE LEO XIV ITINERARY FOR VISIT TO LATIN AMERICA
Source: Vatican News Photo Credit: Buenos Aires Times
The Holy See Press Office has released the programme, logos and mottos for Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for 6–17 November 2026. The twelve-day journey will take the Holy Father to ten cities across the three South American countries.
The Vatican had previously announced the dates and cities on 5 August. The programme released on 21 September provides further details about the times, venues and activities planned for the journey.
6–8 November: Uruguay
The Holy Father will begin his journey in Uruguay, visiting Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. This will be the first papal visit to Uruguay since St. John Paul II visited the country in 1988. The motto for this stage is “I bring you news of great joy,” drawn from Luke 2:10. The logo depicts Christ crucified and risen, flanked by Pope Leo XIV and Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, patroness of Uruguay. Above them is the sun, inspired by Uruguay’s “Sun of May,” a symbol of the country’s national identity, while the colour blue evokes the national flag.
During his stay, the Pope will celebrate Mass in Paysandú and Florida, meet with communities in Casavalle and the education community at the Catholic University of Uruguay, and preside over a prayer vigil at the Centenary Stadium.
8–11 November: Argentina
On 8 November, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Argentina, where he will visit Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. The visit carries particular significance because Argentina was the homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and comes almost four decades after the last papal visit to the country by St. John Paul II in 1987. The motto for this stage is “Welcome everyone. Go and proclaim.”
The logo depicts a group of people with a cross at the centre. Their arrangement represents a shared journey in which each person participates with a sense of co-responsibility, moving from encounter to proclamation as missionary disciples on the way.
The programme includes encounters with young people, pastoral workers, Christian communities and other religious traditions, as well as a visit to the Federal Prison Complex in Buenos Aires and Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján.
11–17 November: Peru
On 11 November, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Peru, where he will remain until 17 November. This will be the longest stage of the journey, with visits to Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.
The motto for this stage is “Let us open our hearts.” The logo is framed by a heart symbolizing openness to God, to others and to the future. Inside the heart is a map of Peru, above which the Holy Spirit is represented by a dove. At the centre is Pope Leo XIV, surrounded by five Peruvian saints: St. Rose of Lima, St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, St. Martin de Porres, St. Francis Solano and St. John Macías.
The visit to Peru will have particular significance for Pope Leo XIV because of his long missionary and pastoral experience in the country. He first arrived in Peru as a missionary in the 1980s and later served as Bishop of Chiclayo.
Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru will therefore combine pastoral encounters, prayer, Eucharistic celebrations, meetings with young people and Church leaders, and dialogue with civil society, reflecting his ministry of accompanying people and proclaiming the Gospel in different contexts.
Story by: Anita Aryeh
DEPSOCOM, Accra
