Twelve flights and a ‘Papacóptero’: Pope Leo XIV’s South American aviation itinerary

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from 6 to 17 November will involve an unusually varied flying programme: 12 fixed-wing sectors and two scheduled helicopter journeys, combining airline widebodies, narrowbody jets and military transport. For aviation enthusiasts, the itinerary offers everything from an ITA Airways A330neo crossing the Atlantic to a Peruvian Air Force Mi-17 heading into the Andes. The Vatican’s published flight list identifies the operators for all 14 sectors, although some aircraft details remain unannounced. 

From an Italian Airbus to an Argentine Boeing

ITA Airways will open the tour on 6 November with a non-stop Rome-Fiumicino–Montevideo flight aboard an Airbus A330neo. According to the airline’s announcement, reported by Aviacionline, the flight will carry three pilots and ten cabin crew, alongside the papal delegation and accompanying journalists. No individual aircraft registration has been identified in the announcements reviewed.

Uruguay’s air force will handle the return trip between Montevideo and Paysandú on 7 November, but the Vatican’s notice does not specify the aircraft type. Aerolíneas Argentinas then takes over: Boeing 737 MAX 8s are planned for Montevideo–Buenos Aires and the Córdoba return journey, followed by an Airbus A330-200 for Buenos Aires–Lima on 11 November. The Argentine operation also includes a separate cargo-only flight between Montevideo and Buenos Aires, outside the Pope’s own 12-sector tally.

The flight-by-flight programme

Dates and operators follow the Vatican itinerary; aircraft assignments come from airline announcements and Peru’s official reporting. All remain subject to operational changes.

Coast, Andes and Amazonia in one flying day

LATAM has confirmed an A320neo for the four domestic Peruvian sectors and a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for the non-stop return to Rome. Its busiest day will be 15 November, when three successive flights link Chiclayo, Cusco, Pucallpa and Lima — taking the delegation from the coast into the Andes, onwards to Amazonia and back to the capital. LATAM is preparing special interior and exterior details but has not disclosed exactly what they will involve.

The most distinctive aircraft is the “Papacóptero”, a Peruvian Air Force Mi-17 presented on 28 October for the Chiclayo–Santa Cruz de Succhabamba return journey. The support deployment includes three additional Mi-17s, Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters for aeromedical duties, and a pressurised Beechcraft King Air 360C air ambulance. These supporting aircraft should not be confused with additional scheduled flights carrying the Pope.

Sources: Vatican flight itinerary · ITA operation · Aerolíneas aircraft assignments · LATAM announcement · Peruvian military aircraft deployment