Pope Leo Heads to South America — and It Feels Like Going Home

Pope Leo is heading to South America next week for a major 12-day trip. He will visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru — three countries that are home to millions of Catholics. The trip is both an official visit and something deeply personal for the pope. Leo grew up in Chicago, but he spent about 20 years living and working as a priest in Peru. For him, this journey feels less like a work trip and more like going home.

Pope Leo first went to Peru in 1985 as a young missionary. He later became a bishop there and even became a Peruvian citizen. He has not been back to Peru since being elected pope, so this visit is a big moment for him and for the people of Peru. One of the most emotional stops on his schedule is a dinner with priests in the city of Chiclayó, where he once served as bishop. It is the kind of quiet, personal moment that rarely makes headlines but means a great deal to those involved.

The trip is also important because South America is one of the strongest regions for the Catholic Church. More than 40% of the world's Catholics live in Latin America. However, the church has been losing members in recent years. A study by Pew Research found that the share of Catholics dropped by at least nine percentage points in six Latin American countries over the past decade. Some people are joining other religions, while others are stepping away from organized religion altogether.

Abuse scandals have also hurt the church in Latin America. Many survivors of abuse by priests and church leaders have spoken out over the years. Some say the church has made progress by changing its rules and including survivors in creating new guidelines. Others say the church has not done enough and that leaders who committed abuse have not always faced real consequences. Pope Leo is expected to meet with abuse survivors during the trip, which many see as an important step forward.

Pope Leo's health has also been in the news lately. Doctors recently removed part of one of his lungs after finding a cancerous growth. Even so, his doctors say he is healthy enough to travel, and he has been seen in public looking strong with a clear, firm voice. Still, the trip is extremely demanding, with more than 50 events, 36 speeches, and about 12 flights. Reporters who travel with the pope often wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning and don't finish their days until late at night.

The pope is also expected to speak out on big global issues while in South America. In recent months, he has criticized the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and spoken against the war in Iran. One of his first major speeches will be in Buenos Aires, Argentina — the hometown of the late Pope Francis, who died in April 2025. Pope Leo is seen as following in Francis's footsteps by visiting places Francis cared about but never got to see in his final years. Both Reuters reporters covering the trip say it is one of the most intense papal tours in decades.