India, Nov. 6 -- Pope Leo XIV touched down in Montevideo on Thursday to begin the longest and farthest-reaching international journey of his papacy, embarking on a demanding 12-day apostolic tour across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

The high-stakes pastoral visit, scheduled from November 6 through November 17, 2026, carries profound personal and diplomatic significance. It marks the first time a pope has visited Uruguay since 1988 and the first trip to Argentina since 1987, ending decades-long papal absences in both nations.

For Peru, the journey serves as an emotional homecoming for the pontiff, who spent two decades ministering in the country as a missionary priest and bishop before ascending to the papacy.

Vatican officials confirme...