In three days, Pope Leo XIV will board a plane for his first apostolic journey to Latin America, a twelve-day trip through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. On Tuesday, November 3, the Holy See Press Office briefed reporters on the plan, and one detail stood out for Bible readers: the motto chosen for Uruguay comes almost word for word from the angel’s announcement to the shepherds in Bethlehem.
The itinerary
According to Vatican News, the journey runs from November 6 to 17 and includes about a dozen flights, ten cities and around 40 addresses, all delivered in Spanish. The schedule, first announced on August 5, breaks down this way:
- Uruguay (Nov. 6-8): Montevideo, Paysandú and Florida. Motto: “I bring you news of great joy.”
- Argentina (Nov. 8-11): Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. Motto: “Welcome everyone. Go and proclaim.”
- Peru (Nov. 11-17): Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa. Motto: “Let us open our hearts.”
Vatican News reports that Uruguay has not hosted a pope since John Paul II in 1988, and Argentina since 1987. Argentina is also the homeland of the late Pope Francis, who did not return there during his pontificate. Peru holds special meaning for Leo, who served there as a missionary and later as a bishop, and became a Peruvian citizen.
What the Pope plans to focus on
At Tuesday’s briefing, press office director Matteo Bruni and Maria Montserrat Alvarado of the Dicastery for Communication described themes of communion, unity and the universal call to holiness. The program includes Masses, meetings with local churches and civil leaders, a visit with prisoners, stops in areas affected by environmental exploitation, and a meeting with victims of clerical abuse. Officials also said the Pope is in good health and the program has not changed.
In an interview published November 2, Guzmán Carriquiry, a former Uruguayan ambassador to the Holy See, told Vatican News that Uruguay is one of the most secularized countries in Latin America. He said he hopes the visit can help the nation reconnect with its Christian roots and renew people’s encounter with Jesus Christ, while drawing attention to poverty and informal work. Vatican News noted in August that only about 36% of Uruguayans are Catholic, the smallest share in Latin America.
The verse behind the motto
Uruguay’s motto echoes the first Christmas announcement, spoken to working men keeping watch in the fields at night:
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10, KJV)
That verse carries three ideas worth sitting with as the holidays approach. First, “fear not”: the good news begins by speaking to people who are afraid. Second, “great joy”: the gospel is not merely information but a reason to rejoice. Third, “to all people”: the message was never meant for a select few. The shepherds were ordinary workers on a night shift, and God sent His announcement to them first.
Whatever tradition you belong to, the choice is a reminder that the message of Jesus travels best when it is carried to places that feel far from faith. A small, quiet church in a secular country is exactly the kind of place the angels’ words were made for.
Why it matters for families
The holiday season is coming quickly, and Luke 2 will soon be read in homes and churches everywhere. This week is a good time to read Luke 2:8-20 together as a family and ask: Who in our life needs to hear “fear not”? Who is working a night shift, literally or figuratively, and could use some good tidings? The answer might be a neighbor, a coworker or a lonely relative. For more on serving others during the season, see how poll chaplains offered calm on Election Day, and our reflection on what the widow’s empty jars teach us about God’s provision.
What to watch
The Pope departs Rome on November 6. Upstormed News will follow the journey, including the Mass in Florida, Uruguay, on November 8, and the final days in Peru.
Read more: Mighty Man of Valour? What Gideon Teaches Us When We Feel Too Small
Who in your life needs to hear “fear not” this season? Share in the comments.
Sources: Vatican News, “Vatican presents Pope Leo’s Apostolic Journey to Latin America” (November 3, 2026); Vatican News, “Pope Leo to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in November” (August 5, 2026); Vatican News, “Carriquiry: Pope’s visit will reconnect Uruguay with its Catholic roots” (November 2, 2026); King James Bible Online, “Luke 2:10” (accessed November 3, 2026)
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