Pope Leo XIV arrives in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, on Friday, November 6, marking the start of a three-country tour of Latin America that will also take him to Argentina and Peru.

The pontiff departed Rome earlier on Friday and is scheduled to receive an official welcome at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport before heading to the city's historic Plaza Independencia for a formal reception.

His first engagements include meetings with government officials, civil society representatives and diplomats, followed by talks with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi. The Pope will then lead an evening prayer service at Montevideo's Metropolitan Cathedral.

The visit marks the first papal trip to Uruguay since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1988 and comes as the Catholic Church seeks to strengthen its ties with communities across a region where religious traditions and social attitudes continue to evolve.

Uruguay is the first stop on the three-country tour, with Pope Leo due to travel to Argentina on November 8 and Peru on November 11, before returning to Rome on November 17.

Programme:

19:30 GMT Arrival at Montevideo-Carrasco International Airport

19:45 GMT Popemobile Procession to Montevideo

20:45 GMT Welcome Ceremony at Plaza Independencia

21:15 GMT Meeting with President Yamandu Orsi and presentation of the key to the city

22:10 GMT Arrival at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Montevideo

22:30 GMT Celebration of Vespers at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Montevideo