Vatican advance team visits Argentina to prepare Pope Francis's itinerary

Vatican officials are undertaking preparatory visits to Argentina ahead of Pope Francis's anticipated trip, with a second advance delegation set to arrive shortly. This follows an initial reconnaissance mission in late June, according to government and church sources involved in the planning.

The pontiff is tentatively scheduled to arrive from Uruguay, the first stop on his regional tour, on the evening of Saturday, November 7, or the following day, Sunday, November 8, 2025. President Javier Milei is expected to greet the Pope upon his arrival at Ezeiza International Airport, marking the first papal visit to Argentina in 39 years.

During his stay, estimated at two to three nights in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis is likely to reside at the Apostolic Nunciature. Plans are being developed for an open-air event, pending final itinerary approval from the Vatican, which is prioritizing security assessments. A potential venue is the Monument of the Spaniards in Palermo, with expectations of drawing over a million attendees. An offer from River Plate to host an event at their stadium has reportedly been declined.

The tentative schedule also includes a half-day trip to Córdoba and a visit to the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) in Puerto Madero, which may serve as the press center. A visit to the Basilica of Luján is also being considered, where the Pope might celebrate a Mass. However, a previously rumored visit to Santiago del Estero is not part of the current plan.