Christian World | Pope Leo XIV landed in Montevideo on Friday to begin a 12-day trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, telling reporters he is proud to be American and to vote

ACW | November 7, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, starting a 12-day journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, Vatican News reported.

The pope left Rome's Fiumicino airport at 7:05 a.m. on Friday, according to Vatican News. His plane landed in Montevideo at 4:17 p.m. local time, EWTN News reported.

The trip, his sixth international journey since becoming pope, runs until Nov. 17. He is due to visit ten cities and give nearly 40 addresses in Spanish, Vatican News said.

Speaking to journalists on the flight, Leo said he was in "fairly good shape" and thanked his medical staff. On voting in the U.S. midterm elections, he said: "I am proud to be American and to exercise the right to vote."

He called Peru, where he spent more than 20 years as a missionary, "one of my many homes." He described the Argentine leg as a tribute to Pope Francis, who was unable to visit the country himself, Vatican News reported.

The pope also introduced Montserrat Alvarado as the new prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, succeeding Paolo Ruffini. On his first day he was scheduled to meet Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi, authorities and diplomats, and to lead Vespers at Montevideo's cathedral.

Background: The Holy See Press Office had earlier presented the itinerary, and ACW reported that Pope Leo will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on a 12-day trip. Stops include Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Luján, Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa.

Why it matters: Leo told reporters the trip's priority is to bring "the message of hope in today's world" to the peoples of three Latin American countries, with nearly 40 addresses in ten cities, according to Vatican News.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo's remarks aboard the flight to Uruguay; Vatican News — Pope Leo departs for Apostolic Journey to Latin America; EWTN News — Pope Leo XIV arrives in South America

Photo: Vatican Media — Pope Leo aboard the flight to Montevideo