Trump looms over Pope Leo XIV’s first visit to the Americas

Pope Leo XIV has begun his first visit to the Americas since his election, travelling to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru through November 17 rather than visiting the United States. His itinerary places him in countries led by conservative politicians aligned with Donald Trump, and his expected emphasis on social justice, migrants and vulnerable communities could contrast with the region’s dominant political discourse.

The 71-year-old pope’s schedule includes 36 speeches, 14 flights and a visit to Cusco at 3,400 metres, following surgery to remove a lung tumour on October 13. In Peru, heavy rain and flooding linked to El Niño have prompted a state of emergency in some areas, including places on his route; nearly one million people are expected at a gathering on the northern coast. His first stop is Uruguay, where a papal visit has not taken place since 1988.