Pope Leo XIV's Latin American Tour to Start in Uruguay in November

Pope Leo XIV's highly anticipated tour of Latin America is slated to commence in Uruguay during the first half of November. While the local Catholic Church initially lacked specific details, indirect confirmation emerged following a meeting between Peruvian President José María Balcázar and the pontiff.

President Balcázar announced that Pope Leo XIV would visit Peru in the first fortnight of November, planning a stay of approximately ten days. The pontiff's itinerary is expected to include Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay. Church sources in Uruguay suggest the regional tour might begin in Montevideo in early November.

According to the Lima-based newspaper "El Comercio," the Peruvian president indicated that the Pope would visit Piura, Chiclayo, Cusco, Pucallpa, and Lima. Potential additions to the Peruvian leg of the tour include Puno and Iquitos. The Peruvian government has offered helicopters to facilitate the Pope's travel to remote areas in the Amazon and Andes regions.

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During the cordial conversations held in the Secretariat of State, satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and Peru, as well as the willingness to strengthen them further.

The Holy See typically maintains strict confidentiality regarding papal journeys. Despite President Balcázar's announcements, Vatican News, the official Vatican State spokesperson, issued a brief statement noting "cordial conversations" and satisfaction with the good relations between the Holy See and Peru, expressing a desire to strengthen them further. The statement mentioned discussions on socioeconomic development, illegal mining, promoting the common good, and social cohesion, but made no explicit mention of Pope Leo XIV's (Robert Prevost) visit to Peru.

In Uruguay, the local Church has initiated contact with the company responsible for events at the Centenario Stadium to explore availability for a Mass, similar to the one held during Pope John Paul II's visit in 1987. Church authorities anticipate clearer information next month. Cardinal Daniel Sturla is expected to receive more details when he meets the Pope in Rome in late June for a consistory. Sturla returns to Uruguay on July 1. If the Pope's visit is brief, he is expected to stay in Montevideo and Florida. A longer stay might include a visit to a department north of the Negro River. While in Montevideo, he is expected to reside at the Apostolic Nunciature, as Pope John Paul II did nearly 40 years ago.

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Subsequently, issues of common interest were addressed, including socioeconomic development, illegal mining, the promotion of the common good and dialogue, as well as commitment to social cohesion.