By Operatur Patagónica – Purposeful Travel Experiences

On May 8, 2025, the Catholic world welcomed a new Pope: Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost. Born in the United States but deeply connected to Latin America, his election marks a turning point in the modern history of the Vatican. He is the first American-born Pope and the first member of the Augustinian Order to be elected to the papacy in over five centuries. What resonates most in our region, however, is his personal and pastoral connection to South America, where he served for nearly 20 years as a missionary and bishop in Peru.

A Pope with a Latin American soul

Leo XIV is no stranger to the hopes, struggles, and spiritual depths of the Global South. During his time in Peru — where he even became a citizen — he distinguished himself through humble leadership, pastoral closeness to local communities, and a commitment to the poor and marginalized. Like Pope Francis, he embodies a Church that listens to the peripheries, embraces ecological responsibility, and promotes justice as a fundamental expression of faith.

A renewed bond with Chile and Argentina

Leo XIV’s election brings new hope to Chile and Argentina, two nations with deep Catholic roots and complex pastoral challenges:

In Chile, the new Pope may lead a path of healing and renewal following past ecclesiastical crises. With his calm leadership style and mission experience, he is expected to promote a Church that is more inclusive, attentive to Indigenous voices, transparent in governance, and engaged with social and youth movements.

In Argentina, the homeland of Pope Francis, Leo XIV is seen as a figure of pastoral continuity rather than contrast. His diplomatic and conciliatory nature suggests that he will build bridges, carry forward the reforms of his predecessor, and accompany the Argentine people in their pursuit of dignity, justice, and peace.

Faith-inspired travel

At Operatur Patagónica, we welcome this election with heartfelt enthusiasm. Pope Leo XIV not only represents new leadership for the Church but also a profound opportunity to revive religious and cultural tourism in the region. His journey through South America inspires many travelers to seek spiritual encounters and meaningful experiences — from the Andean trails of Peru to the sacred landscapes of Patagonia, including sanctuaries, missions, and pilgrimage routes across Chile and Argentina.

Leo XIV is a Pope who walks with the people. And in that walk, he invites us to rediscover the continent with eyes of faith, heritage, and hope.
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At what time of our lives do we discover our passions?

Undoubtedly after some motivation from our environment.

Well, in my first years of school, I remember that I spent several summers in “Rincón Negro”, Cerro Castillo, where my remembered and beloved uncle Daniel was in charge of taking care of the ranch. It was then that my approach to horses occurred that would last me a lifetime. Added to that fact, my friendship with my friends and dear neighbors “Garay”, made me live on the plot – metaphorically speaking.

It was how I learned not only to ride a horse but also to do all the country chores, such as looking for herds in large ranches, feeding the dogs, branding, herding cattle, jumping on horseback, riding steers, fixing wire fences, “cuerear” (removing the leather). sheep), branding, lacerating, chasing rheas, looking for rhea eggs, being kicked by horses, being knocked over by calves, etc.

Then came tourism, and the question that blossoms at some point of creation: what if we sell horseback riding tours?

Then the surveys begin with my friend Kiko, with Brigitta’s horses in Torres del Paine (1988), there I discovered what the French glacier was! especially at one point we got into a mud pit through which we had to get off the horses, because they had gotten stuck.

I will never forget our survey to Cerro “El Cazador” in Cerro Castillo, with my friend and chief of Baqueanos, at the turn of the years in Torres del Paine Mr. José Soto, despite having been born in cold lands, and having lived in Duluth, where we got to have -30ºC (minus 30 degrees), I never felt so cold as on that occasion!

This is how our concession for horse services both cargo transportation and rides in Torres del Paine arrives. We began to provide services to the Hotel Explora with fine Chilean and Patagonian horses. Our horseback rides begin in the Serrano River plain, three days crossing from Laguna Amarga through Lake Nordenskjold until reaching the old “Italian” refuge, then reaching the vicinity of the Gray glacier, the next day the return to the park administration began where our base was.

The development of this activity was pleasant for several reasons, without a doubt the integrity of our field men stands out when analyzing the success of this business, since it was easy to work with 23 people of “word” value so scarce these days.

When your passion protects and controls your motivation, there is only one step left for the success of your venture.

Hugs and have a good week!