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Pope Leo XIV Addresses 40,000 in Uruguay

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In Short: Pope Leo XIV addressed an estimated 40,000 people at Paris London Park in Paysandu, Uruguay, on Saturday, urging them to be 'bridge builders' and 'share the joy' of their faith.

Pope Leo XIV addressed an estimated 40,000 people at Paris London Park in Paysandu, Uruguay, on Saturday, urging them to be 'bridge builders' and 'share the joy' of their faith.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of faith in uniting people and promoting peace, drawing inspiration from the example of Blessed Jacinto Vera, known as the 'gaucho bishop,' who spread the faith across Uruguay in the late 1800s.

Catholics make up about 33% of Uruguay's population, while nearly 52% of Uruguayans claim no religious affiliation, according to a 2024 survey.

Pope Leo XIV also called for the protection of the unborn and addressed Uruguay's high suicide rates, urging for accessible healthcare.

The pope's visit to Uruguay, one of Latin America's most secular countries, aims to raise the profile of the Catholic Church and strengthen ties with local churches.

During his visit, Pope Leo XIV celebrated vespers at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Montevideo, urging clergy and religious communities to remain close to Christ and persevere in their vocation.

The Vatican said the visit will provide an opportunity for the pope to encourage the faithful and promote a message of faith, hope, and peace in Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Learn more PAYSANDÚ, Uruguay — November 7, 2026 Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email to a friend Print Pope Leo XIV urged an estimated 40,000 people in Uruguay on Saturday (Nov. 11) to build bridges of fraternity and faith, using his first Mass in South America to deliver an ode to the region's beloved mate tea and raise the profile of the Catholic Church in its most secular country.
• Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful as he arrives to celebrate Mass at Parque Paris Londres in Paysandu, Uruguay, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. — Pope Leo XIV urged an estimated 40,000 people in Uruguay on Saturday to build bridges of fraternity and faith, using his first Mass in South America to deliver an ode to the region's beloved mate tea and raise the profile of the Catholic Church in its most secular country.
• Faithful attend Pope Leo XIV's Angelus noon prayer in St.
• 6-17 trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, after doctors determined there are no medical reasons preventing him from traveling three weeks after lung cancer surgery, the Vatican confirmed Monday.
• Catholic faithful hold an Argentine flag bearing images of the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV as they wait for Pope Leo XIV to arrive to celebrate Mass at Parque Paris Londres in Paysandu, Uruguay, Saturday, Nov.
• Pope Leo XIV celebrates vespers with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians at the Metropolitan Cathedral, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on the first day of his twelve-day apostolic journey to South America, Friday, Nov.

What's still developing

• "He's the representative of Christ but he's human. And we weren't sure if he could make it, but he pushed through for us," said Soledad Sánchez, 73, who had driven to Paysandú from northern Uruguay, her eyes filling with tears.
• Millions of faithful are expected to turn out to see the pope, who will combine pastoral events with speeches to leaders including Argentine President Javier Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump whose relationship with the Church is strained.
• Speaking in a half-empty Plaza Independencia, after being welcomed by left-wing President Yamandu Orsi, the pope lamented Uruguay's high suicide rates -- among the highest in the world -- and appealed for healthcare to be "accessible to everyone."
• Leo will celebrate Mass on Saturday in a park in Paysandu, a city in western Uruguay, where 30,000 pilgrims are expected.
• Leo issued a call for the "protection of the unborn" but also spoke about issues specific to Uruguay, such as its high suicide rates, which he called "painful." A committed environmentalist, he had praise for the small country's "remarkable" achievement in greening its economy, which runs mainly on renewables.
• The pontiff said he was bringing a message of "hope" to the world's most Catholic continent. Liberal Uruguay is at odds with the Catholic Church -- as well as Latin America's new crop of conservative leaders -- on issues such as same-sex marriage, abortion and euthanasia, which was legalized there last year. Leo issued a call for the "protection of the unborn" but also spoke about issues specific to Uruguay, such as its high suicide rates, which he called "painful."
• The 77-year-old Pope arrived in Uruguay on November 6, having undergone surgery for lung cancer just weeks before departing Rome.
• Leo spent his first full day in Uruguay pointing to the church’s historic roots in the country and the work it’s doing today.
• How the Uruguayan initiative began The Pope recalled that the initiative in Uruguay began in 2024, when the interdiocesan seminary received no new candidates.
• Fasting and prayer for peace At the end of his General Audience on August 20, 2025, Pope Leo XIV also invited the faithful to observe August 22, the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as a day of “fasting and prayer.” He asked Catholics to implore the Lord to “grant us peace and justice” and to “dry the tears of those who suffer” because of ongoing armed conflicts.
• Pope Leo had previously urged the faithful to set aside time to fast from food and to pray, both individually and together.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• Ncronlinelink
• Thecatholictelegraphlink
• Kdhnewslink
• Vaticannewslink
• Kuwaittimeslink
• Tribdemlink
• Telegraphheraldlink
• Fox26Medfordlink
• Enlink
• Capitalfmlink
• Oskaloosalink
• Goshennewslink
• Wfmzlink
• Heraldmalaysialink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Urges Faith in Secular Uruguay link
• EWTN News — video link