Pope Leo ends Uruguay visit and heads to Argentina

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 8 Nov, 21:21 · Archive

Pope Leo XIV has completed his visit to Uruguay and is now travelling to Argentina for the second leg of his South American tour.

Pope Leo XIV completed his visit to Uruguay on Sunday with a Mass in the city of Florida, north of Montevideo. Tens of thousands packed the main square, with the Vatican estimating around 50,000 worshippers attended, some walking several kilometres to reach the site. The city has a population of about 40,000.

The Pope used his final event in Uruguay to address the role of women in passing on Catholic faith to younger generations. He acknowledged that church attendance in the country has declined, saying to mothers and grandmothers: 'never tire of passing on the faith'. He also raised awareness about gender-based violence, calling on men to treat their wives with respect, noting that Latin America recorded nearly 20,000 femicides over five years.

In his homily, Pope Leo urged Uruguayans to live their faith openly. 'The people of Uruguay are capable of great things,' he said, adding that they should not be afraid to declare their Christian identity. He became the first pope in nearly four decades to visit Uruguay, a country described as increasingly secular.

The Mass took place at the Cathedral of Florida to mark the Virgin of the Thirty-three, an important local Catholic feast day. In his address, the Pope also said he was 'deeply saddened' by an attack in Krakow, though outlets provided no further detail on this reference.

On Sunday evening, Pope Leo departed Uruguay for Argentina, the second leg of his South American tour. France 24 reports he is expected to draw the biggest turnout of his papacy so far during his time in Argentina.

How it is being reported

• Pope Leo in Latin America: Papal Politics and PeruPope Leo heads to Argentina for the second leg of his South America tour, where he's expected to draw the biggest turnout of his Papacy so far. The pontiff has wrapped up his first visit to Uruguay. Colleen Dulle, Vatican Correspondent at America Magazine and the co-host of the 'Inside the Vatican' podcast, joins us to analyse the significance of his Latin American tour.France 24 · 8 Nov, 21:16
• Pope Leo XIV ends his visit to Uruguay with a tribute to women before departing to ArgentinaTens of thousands of people packed Florida’s main square for the Mass under brilliant blue skies, some walking for several kilometers to reach the site. The city has a population of about 40,000 but the Vatican estimated 50,000 were attending.Euronews · 8 Nov, 20:55
• Pope Leo in Latin America: Papal Politics and PeruPope Leo heads to Argentina for the second leg of his South America tour, where he's expected to draw the biggest turnout of his Papacy so far. The pontiff has wrapped up his first visit to Uruguay. Colleen Dulle, Vatican Correspondent at America Magazine and the co-host of the 'Inside the Vatican' podcast, joins us to analyse the significance of his Latin America trip.France 24 · 8 Nov, 20:51
• Pope Leo XIV delivers homily to thousands in UruguayPope Leo XIV delivers homily to thousands in UruguayAl Jazeera · 8 Nov, 20:29
• After a successful trip to Uruguay, Pope Leo heads to ArgentinaOn Sunday, tens of thousands packed the main square in Florida, Uruguay, to watch Pope Leo speak.NPR · 8 Nov, 16:30

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Uruguay · Argentina · Florida · Montevideo · Latin America · Krakow

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log