The Archbishop of Montevideo, Cardinal Daniel Sturla, stated this Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Uruguay next November, although he clarified that the final dates and itinerary will be confirmed by the Holy See, likely by the end of July.
During a press meeting at the headquarters of the Uruguayan Episcopal Conference, the cardinal expressed the local Church’s satisfaction that this would be the Pontiff’s first visit to Latin America since the beginning of his pontificate. “We are very happy that the Pope is coming,” he said.
An invitation extended from the start of the pontificate
Sturla explained that he personally invited Leo XIV to visit Uruguay just days after his election in May 2025.
“When Pope Leo was elected, I told him in the initial greeting: ‘Holy Father, we are waiting for you. We come from Uruguay. Remember that Francis did not visit Uruguay or Argentina, so we are waiting for you,’” he recounted.
The cardinal noted that, although the official Vatican announcement is still pending, there are numerous indications that Uruguay will be part of the Pontiff’s first Latin American trip. According to him, the visit could take place between early and mid-November and may also include Argentina and Peru.
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An itinerary still awaiting confirmation
Although he stressed that the final program is up to the Holy See, Sturla suggested that the visit could include Montevideo, Florida—home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, patroness of Uruguay—and a city in the north of the country, possibly Paysandú.
The archbishop explained that a delegation sent by the Vatican has already made a preparatory visit to Montevideo, Florida, and Paysandú to advance the organization of the trip.
Among the planned events, the cardinal expressed his hope that Leo XIV will preside over the Mass on Sunday, November 8, at the shrine in Florida, coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three.
Meeting with the president and priority for social works
Sturla also took for granted that the Pope will meet with the President of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, who personally delivered the invitation to visit the country.
On the other hand, he indicated that the Pontiff is not expected to address the Uruguayan Parliament. According to him, the Holy See has conveyed that this type of institutional visit is not usually part of papal trips and that Leo XIV’s presence should contribute to unity, avoiding political debates.
The cardinal also highlighted that one of the priorities of the Uruguayan Church will be to show the Holy Father the social works carried out in the Casavalle Basin, one of the most vulnerable areas of Montevideo, with the aim of facilitating an encounter between the Pope and the people served by these initiatives.
“They have no idea what’s coming”
Yago de la Cierva, a communications consultant and coordinator of Leo XIV’s recent visit to Spain, also took part in the press conference.
Addressing the Uruguayan organizers, De la Cierva encouraged them to prepare for the trip in advance. “They have no idea what’s coming,” he said, while describing the Pontiff as “a very popular Pope, whom people love very much.”
Nevertheless, he recalled that the itinerary, dates, and final format of the trip have not yet been officially confirmed by the Holy See.