Pope Leo XIV heads to Latin America on November 6, 2026, as Peru prepares a 14-meter statue to welcome him

On November 6, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will begin his first trip to Latin America since his election as head of the Vatican. The packed itinerary includes Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

In Peru, the head of the Catholic Church will be welcomed by a giant statue of himself, standing 14 meters tall. It is expected to stand out among the symbols of welcome in a country the Pope regards as an important part of his life and religious ministry.

His ties to Peru give the trip particular personal significance. Before being elected Pope, he lived there for around two decades, held various positions in the Church and also became a Peruvian citizen.

Beyond its religious and symbolic dimensions, the visit comes at a delicate moment in Latin American politics. Across the region, the Catholic Church’s views on economic and social problems often clash with the policies of the governments in power.

During his stays in Argentina and Peru, Leo XIV will meet the countries’ right-wing presidents, Javier Milei and the Peruvian president. Alongside meetings with national leaders, the itinerary includes stops at places that represent the progressive Catholic tradition and the Church’s commitment to the poorest members of society.

Casavalle, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, is among the places the Pope will visit. From there, he is expected to deliver a message of support and solidarity for communities in need of help.

In Argentina, an important stop will be a Catholic home that provides care for people with disabilities. This part of the itinerary carries particular significance, coming at a time when Javier Milei’s government has sharply cut funding for services supporting people with disabilities.

The itinerary in Peru also includes prayers at a shrine to Saint Óscar Romero in Chiclayo, the city where Leo XIV served as bishop. The Salvadoran archbishop was killed in 1980 after repeatedly speaking out against human rights abuses committed by El Salvador’s military.

Within the Catholic Church, Romero is regarded as a leading defender of the poor and human rights. His ministry was shaped by liberation theology, the movement born in Latin America that placed the fight against poverty, inequality and social injustice at the heart of faith.

For decades, this tradition has sparked debate within the Catholic Church, while its influence has also extended into the region’s religious and political life. In this context, the places chosen for the Pope’s visit are considered significant, particularly against the backdrop of the fierce ideological clashes the continent is experiencing.

Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to Latin America as head of the Vatican is therefore expected to go beyond a return to the places where he served. It will also be an important opportunity to express his positions on solidarity, social justice and the Church’s role in a region marked by political tensions.