Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, will soon begin one of his most ambitious trips as pope. This journey to the countries of Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru is planned following his recent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. His doctors have confirmed that he does not require further treatments and he is ready for this 11-day trip.
Details of the Trip and Various Events
Pope Leo's trip, which will run from November 6 to 17, will include 12 flights, two helicopter rides, and a prayer ceremony in the Andes. He has expressed hope to return to a continent where he has experienced many moments of his life. Millions of faithful are expected to gather to see the pope, and he will engage in a mix of spiritual events and speeches with government officials, including Javier Milei, the President of Argentina.
Read more: France on the Brink of Street Protests on Halloween
Challenges and Expectations in Different Countries
At the start of his trip to Uruguay, a country with high secularism, Pope Leo will be welcomed by Yamandú Orsi, the leftist President of the country. This country is at odds with the church on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion, and euthanasia. The pope is expected to address the protection of life in these meetings.
After that, he will travel to Argentina, the birthplace of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who has disappointed many Argentinians by not returning to his home country during his papacy. Local officials anticipate that 7 million pilgrims will take to the streets to see him.
In Buenos Aires, the pope will meet with Javier Milei. Milei, a right-wing libertarian, has had a tense relationship with Pope Francis, but his interactions with Leo have been much smoother. However, local church leaders have expressed concerns about the human costs of Milei's efforts to revive the economy, which has posed challenges for millions.
The pope's trip will conclude with an emotional return to Peru, a country he feels a strong connection to. Elis Anne Allen, a Vatican expert, has stated that he is very eager to return to Peru, and this trip is personally very significant for him. Before becoming pope, Leo served in Peru for nearly two decades and will now celebrate Mass as the first pope born in the United States and a citizen of Peru in a desert plain near the Pacific Ocean.
In Lima, he will meet with Kiko Fujimori, the right-wing President of Peru. Fujimori is the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, the former leader of the country, who is imprisoned for corruption and crimes against humanity.
Pope Leo is likely to address the issues Peru faces, including rising crime and the cocaine industry, one of the largest in the world, and its impact on indigenous people. He may also speak about political instability in the country and the protection of the dignity of migrants in a country that is home to about 1.6 million Venezuelans.
His trip to Cusco, at an altitude of 3,400 meters, will last less than three hours and will attract significant attention, while questions arise about whether the pope has underestimated the seriousness of his cancer or has successfully overcome it.
If the pope can successfully complete this trip, it will only enhance his image as a young, strong, and energetic pope.
Read more: Saudi Coalition Destroys Houthi Drones in Yemen · Argentina Calls for Halt to British Oil Activities Near the Falkland Islands
