First apostolic journey of Pope Leo to South America: Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru

On August 5, what for months had been merely a rumour was confirmed: Pope Leo XIV will undertake his first journey to South America. Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru will be the settings of an itinerary that will mark not only the history of the Church, but also the memory of millions of believers. His arrival promises to be a breath of hope in times when violence, crisis, and disillusionment seem to darken the horizon.

Uruguay: Faith in Silence

In a land where secularization has erased Christmas and Holy Week from the official calendar, faith endures as a discreet but persistent flame. There, Leo XIV will visit a marginalized neighbourhood, a gesture recalling that the Church never forgets the peripheries. It will be a simple encounter, yet one charged with symbolism: the Pope's voice resonating among those who most need to be heard.

Argentina: The Long-Awaited Return

The visit to Argentina has a special flavour. Francis, the Pope who was born there, never returned after his election. Today, Leo XIV takes up that absence and transforms it into presence. Amid political and economic tensions, his message will be a call to reconciliation. Many will see in him the continuation of that spirit which invited people to “make a mess,” but with the serenity of one who arrives as a brother and a pilgrim.

Peru: A Return to the Heart

The country that saw him grow as a missionary and bishop will receive him with open arms. Over seven days he will travel the coast, the highlands, and the jungle, but the most moving moment will be his return to the diocese where he served for years. Coinciding with the 300^th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, his visit becomes a bridge between past and present. In a Peru battered by violence and the first ravages of the “Coastal El Niño,” his arrival will be a balm that caresses the wounds of a people still searching for hope.

A Pilgrim of Peace

More than a religious leader, Leo XIV presents himself as a pilgrim. His journey will be not only an ecclesial event, but also a human gesture that transcends borders. Believers and strangers alike hope that his voice will awaken hearts and renew the passion for walking together in faith. In every country, in every encounter, there will remain the mark of a Pope who returns home to remind us that hope is never lost.

Father Romero Chajón David Eduardo, MCCJ