Pope Leo XIV Holds First-Ever South American Mass in Secular Uruguay
Thousands gather in Paysandú for Pope Leo XIV's historic South American debut, seeking to revitalize faith in the region's most secular nation.
POLICY WIRE — Paysandú, Uruguay — Thousands of pilgrims converged on the Uruguay River city on Saturday to witness Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass in South America, as the pontiff aimed to bolster the Catholic Church within the continent’s most secular state.
More than 30,000 attendees from Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil registered for the service at Parque París Londres. The expansive park on the southern outskirts of Paysandú marks the first papal visit to the city, located approximately 375 kilometers from the capital city of Montevideo.
The three-day multi-nation tour was previously considered uncertain after the Pope underwent lung cancer surgery on October 13. Despite these health concerns, crowds wearing rain ponchos and Vatican-yellow attire arrived as early as 5:30 a.m. to the sound of Spanish hymns.
Soledad Sánchez, 73, who traveled from northern Uruguay, expressed deep emotion at seeing the Pope’s persistence despite his diagnosis. She noted that while he represents Christ, he is also human, and pushed through his illness to deliver a message of peace to a world in desperate need.
Leo, who arrived on Friday, is seeking to encourage the population of 3.5 million to lean on their faith to navigate modern societal challenges. Later Saturday, he is scheduled to visit a Montevideo neighborhood struggling with gang violence and trafficking, where the church partners with local officials on housing and addiction rehabilitation.
The visit is set to conclude with a major prayer vigil at Montevideo’s Centenary Stadium, serving as a call to reject religious indifference. During a Friday evening service at the capital cathedral, the Pope observed that many citizens are disconnected from a faith heritage that is deeply woven into Uruguay’s independence.
The Catholic Church reported no new seminarians in 2024, though a few individuals have since begun priestly training. Leo urged the clergy and students to emulate the life of Christ to reach the faithful, stating that in a land where many are far from the Church, such a witness carries unique power.
Because it is situated just across the bridge from the Argentine city of Colón, Paysandú was more accessible for many pilgrims than the upcoming stops in Argentina. After Uruguay, the Pope will visit Buenos Aires, Luján, and Córdoba before concluding his journey in Peru.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
