Pope Leo XIV is expected to make his first visit to Latin America in November, with Uruguay set to become one of the destinations on a tour that is also expected to include Argentina and Peru.
Although the Holy See Press Office has yet to publish the official itinerary, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, has said preparations are already underway and expressed confidence that the visit will take place. He described the visit as a moment of great significance for the Church in Uruguay after decades without a papal visit.
Speaking at a press conference at the headquarters of the Uruguayan Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Sturla announced that Vatican officials had arrived in the country to continue preparations for the anticipated journey. Although the Cardinal stressed that the final dates and programme remain subject to confirmation by the Holy See, with an announcement expected at the end of July, he said the visit would be in November as part of what will be Leo XIV’s first visit to the Americas since his election in May 2025.
The Cardinal revealed that he had personally extended an invitation to the newly elected Pope only days after the beginning of his pontificate. Recalling their first meeting, Cardinal Sturla said he told Leo: “Holy Father, we are waiting for you. We come from Uruguay. Remember that Francis did not visit Uruguay or Argentina, so we are waiting for you.”
Those remarks alluded to the long-standing disappointment felt by many Catholics in both Uruguay and neighbouring Argentina that Pope Francis never returned to either country during his pontificate, despite repeated speculation that such a journey would eventually take place.
Leo XIV’s anticipated visit would represent the first papal visit to Uruguay since St John Paul II travelled there in 1988. Although no official programme has yet been released, Cardinal Sturla indicated that Montevideo is expected to feature prominently on the itinerary, while a possible visit to Paysandú, in the north of the country, remains under consideration.
“Our desire is to be the first ones visited,” His Eminence said, adding that “there are many signs” suggesting Uruguay will open the South American tour. Nevertheless, the Cardinal cautioned against assuming details that have not yet been formally confirmed. “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.”
Among the principal events under discussion is a Mass at the National Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three in Florida on 8 November, coinciding with the feast of Uruguay’s patroness. Cardinal Sturla expressed the hope that Pope Leo would preside over the celebration, describing such a possibility as “a tremendous gift for the Virgin and for all of us who can celebrate Holy Mass with the Pope there.”
Preparatory work has already extended beyond logistical planning. According to the Cardinal, Vatican representatives have visited Montevideo, Florida and Paysandú to assess venues and organise the practical arrangements required for the papal visit. Particular attention has also been given to Casavalle, one of the most disadvantaged areas of Montevideo, where the Catholic Church has long been involved in extensive charitable and pastoral work. Cardinal Sturla said it was important that the Holy Father should witness those initiatives first-hand and have the opportunity to meet those who benefit from them.
Alongside the pastoral programme, Pope Leo is also expected to meet President Yamandú Orsi, who personally presented the invitation to visit Uruguay during a meeting at the Vatican. However, Cardinal Sturla indicated that no address to the Uruguayan Parliament is expected as the Vatican generally avoids institutional events that could become politically contentious. “The Pope is a unifying factor, and if something provokes controversy, he will surely not speak in Parliament,” he said. .
Also participating in the press conference was communications consultant Yago de la Cierva, who coordinated Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit to Spain. He urged those beginning preparations to prepare well in advance. “What I am here to tell you is that you have no idea what is coming your way,” he warned those who will prepare the Uruguay papal visit.
Unlike the Pope’s recent visit to Spain, which focused on a single country, the forthcoming apostolic journey is expected to mirror the structure of his African tour by encompassing several nations in one regional visit. While attention has understandably centred on Uruguay following Cardinal Daniel Sturla’s announcement, AdVaticanum understands that the November journey has been conceived as a wider South American tour that will also include Peru and Argentina. Elements of the Peruvian itinerary have already begun to emerge, while preparations are advancing across all three countries ahead of the Holy See’s formal announcement, expected later this month.
