Pope Leo XIV departs Rome for first papal trip to Latin America

Pope Leo XIV earlier departed Rome for his first trip to Latin America as pontiff, during which he will visit the nations of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

The pope left this morning as he makes his way to a continent that played a pivotal role in his religious life, as Leo had spent a significant amount of his life as a missionary and church leader in Peru.

He will also be spending time in the Peruvian city of Chiclayo, where he served as bishop from 2015 to 2023.

The first leg of the pontiff's tour will take place in Uruguay, often considered one of the least religious countries in all of Latin America, where he will stay until the 8th of this month.