Pope Leo XIV departs Rome for 12-day visit to Latin America

Pontiff begins 6th international trip of his papacy, with stops planned in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17

Pope Leo XIV departed Rome on Friday for a 12-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, marking his sixth international trip since becoming pontiff, Vatican News reported. The ITA Airways aircraft carrying the pope and accompanying journalists took off from Rome's Fiumicino International Airport on Friday morning, beginning a trip scheduled to run from Nov. 6 to 17. Pope Leo is expected to arrive at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay on Friday afternoon, where an official welcoming ceremony will take place. His program in the Uruguayan capital will begin with a welcome ceremony at Independence Square, followed by meetings with government officials, civil society representatives and members of the diplomatic corps. The pontiff is also scheduled to meet Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi. Following his visit to Uruguay, Pope Leo will travel to Argentina, where his itinerary includes stops in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Lujan. He will then continue to Peru, visiting Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa. During the 12-day journey, the pontiff is expected to take approximately a dozen flights, visit 10 cities and deliver nearly 40 addresses in Spanish.