Pope Leo XIV is set to begin an 11-day visit to Latin America on November 6, as the Catholic Church faces declining membership, growing competition from evangelical churches and changing religious attitudes across the region.
The pope will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru during the trip, which will include Masses, meetings with political leaders and young people, and visits to communities across the three countries.
Latin America remains the world’s largest Catholic region, but the number of people identifying with the Church has declined in recent years.
A 2024 survey by the Pew Research Centre found that the share of adults identifying as Catholic had fallen in six major Latin American countries compared with a decade earlier.
In each country, roughly one in five adults said they had left the Catholic Church.
Despite the decline, belief in god remains widespread, suggesting that the challenge for the Church is not necessarily a loss of faith but changing religious practices and growing distrust of religious institutions.
Younger people are increasingly embracing more individual approaches to spirituality, sometimes combining Christian beliefs and practices with other religious traditions.
Some former Catholics have also cited misconduct and abuse scandals within the Church as reasons for leaving.
Evangelical and Pentecostal churches have gained followers, particularly among urban working-class communities, adding to the Catholic Church’s challenges in maintaining its influence.
Researchers have linked the changes to broader cultural shifts and a growing emphasis on individual religious choices.
A personal journey for Pope Leo
The visit carries particular significance for Pope Leo, who spent decades in Peru as a missionary, priest and bishop before becoming pope.
The pontiff, who holds Peruvian citizenship, has often spoken about the influence the country had on his pastoral ministry.
His itinerary includes visits to communities where the Church hopes to strengthen its relationship with worshippers and encourage renewed participation in religious life.
Some priests have already reported increased attendance at Mass and growing demand for baptisms and communion ahead of the pope’s arrival.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the Church to reconnect with Catholics who have become less involved in religious activities.
