Pope Leo XIV urges Uruguayan Catholics to build bridges
The pontiff celebrated Mass in Paysandu on the second day of his South American tour, addressing declining faith and urging care for the sick.
By Marina Weber ·
Pope Leo XIV told Catholics in Uruguay on Saturday to act as "bridge builders" for their faith, addressing a congregation in the northwestern city of Paysandu. The event marked the second day of his 12-day itinerary across South America and the first papal visit to Uruguay in nearly four decades.
Leo, 71, resumed travel just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer. He is currently touring Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, regions where he served as a missionary for nearly 20 years. His presence in the country comes as Latin America, the world's most Catholic continent, sees a sharp decline in adherents. A Latinobarometro poll indicates that the share of people identifying as Catholic fell from 80 percent to 55 percent over the past 30 years.
During the open-air Mass, Leo urged the faithful to "share the joy" of their religion. He acknowledged the local tradition of mate, a herbal infusion consumed from a gourd with a metal straw. "Mate teaches us to share and be together," Leo said to the crowd, which included thousands of people who attended despite early morning drizzle. He noted that the drink has even reached Rome.
Among the attendees was Gladys Soria, 81, who traveled from a town 50 kilometers away with her daughter, Adela. Soria, who recently had surgery and has difficulty walking, told AFP that she found the strength to make the journey. The crowd also heard Leo advocate for universal healthcare, a topic he introduced in his first speech in Montevideo the previous day.
Leo connected his own cancer diagnosis to the experiences of patients who lack timely medical attention. Without directly naming euthanasia, which Uruguay legalised last year against strong church opposition, he stated that individuals should be supported to "live with dignity" and receive necessary care. He added that the Church aims to "alleviate suffering whenever possible" and ensure that the sick know their lives retain meaning.
Later on Saturday, Leo returned to Montevideo to visit Casavalle, the neighborhood with the city's highest homicide rate. He also stopped at the Catholic University and the Centenario Stadium, where he presided over a prayer vigil for 60,000 people.
The tour continues on Sunday afternoon in Argentina, the homeland of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Leo is scheduled to meet President Javier Milei, a self-described "anarcho-capitalist" and close ally of US President Donald Trump. Trump publicly criticised Leo earlier this year following the pope's comments on the US-Israeli war in Iran. The itinerary concludes in Peru, where Leo served as bishop and holds citizenship.
