The Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Montse Alvarado, appeared this Tuesday, November 3, before journalists accredited to the Holy See Press Office, at the briefing presenting Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, scheduled from November 6 to 17. It was her first public appearance since assuming the post on November 1, succeeding Paolo Ruffini, and she delivered it in four languages: she began in Spanish, continued in Italian, moved to English, and concluded in French, according to the account by Vatican News.
Alvarado, who had already spoken about her arrival at the Vatican in an interview published by InfoVaticana, focused her remarks on the Pontiff’s enthusiasm. “He is very excited,” she stated, adding that the Pope himself confirmed the trip without making any changes to the program. When asked about his health following surgery a few weeks ago, she replied that “his stamina is fantastic.”
Peru, a “deeply personal” return
The Prefect paid special attention to the Peruvian leg, presenting it as a return laden with personal meaning. “This is a place that gave him his ministry and inspired who he is as a pastor,” she said of a country where Robert Prevost served as a missionary and bishop for years. According to her, the Pope will give himself there “in a language that is true to him,” because “he knows these streets.”
Alvarado also warned reporters that Leo XIV might frequently improvise, departing from prepared texts, and asked them to help convey to the world his message of peace and encounter. When asked why he would visit Uruguay, a highly secularized country, she responded with a “Why not?” and recalled that the Gospel is meant to reach everywhere.
The program detailed by Bruni
The Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, outlined the itinerary. The twelve-day journey includes about twelve flights and ten cities, and the Pope will deliver around forty speeches, all in Spanish. Uruguay will be visited from November 6 to 8, with stops in Montevideo, Paysandú, and Florida, marking the first papal visit since John Paul II’s in 1988. Argentina, from the 8th to the 11th, includes Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján; the last papal visit there was in 1987. Peru will occupy November 11 to 17, with stops in Lima, Chiclayo, Cuzco, and Pucallpa.
Bruni highlighted the themes of communion, encounter, and unity, as well as the universal call to holiness, and cited saints and blesseds from each country, such as Saint Rose of Lima, Mama Antula, and Blessed Jacinto Vera. Scheduled events include meetings with Augustinian communities, prisoners, and the poor and vulnerable, as well as with victims of sexual abuse committed by clergy, and a visit to areas affected by environmental exploitation.
Regarding the Pope’s health, Bruni and Alvarado agreed that the schedule has not been altered because Leo XIV is in excellent condition and the surgery resolved the issue without leaving permanent after-effects. As on all his trips, the Pontiff will be accompanied by a medical and nursing team.