The Pope's itinerary in Chile and Peru

As the Pope's apostolic visits to the Latin American nations of Chile and Peru shine the spotlight on some of those those nations most pressing issues, the Papal itinerary gives us an idea of what we can expect.

By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

Pope Francis’ journey to Chile and Peru this week is his 6th apostolic visit to Latin America.

He is due to spend 3 days in Chile and 3 days in Peru, travelling to 6 cities in as many days.

Formal and informal meetings

Highlights of the trip are expected to include some less formal meetings with indigenous people and migrants in both countries, as well as traditional encounters with young people, members of the local Bishops Conferences, and his customary conversations with priests and religious.

Visit to the Jesuit Community

But there will also be a more personal visit to the Jesuit Community at the St Alberto Hurtado Shrine on Tuesday evening, in keeping with the Pope’s tradition of taking time off to catch up with his Jesuit brothers in the country he is visiting. Hurtado was a Chilean Jesuit who became the country’s first male saint when he was canonized by Benedict XVI.

Migrants and indigenous peoples

Two particularly moving encounters are likely to be those at the women’s prison in Santiago, soon after Pope Francis arrives in Chile, and his stop in the northern port city of Iquique, just before he leaves. The city is a refuge for thousands of economic migrants who come to Chile from neighboring countries in search of a better life. Wednesday will see him in the city of Temuco, traditionally considered the poorest area in the entire country and home to an indigenous community that accounts for 23 percent of the population.

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