Pope Leo XIV Kicks Off Uruguay Visit with Mass, Calls for Unity

Pope Leo XIV was seen waving to the faithful upon his arrival at Paris London Park to lead a mass in Paysandu, western Uruguay, on 7 November 2026. The head of the Roman Catholic Church addressed tens of thousands of people who gathered for his first mass in western Uruguay as part of his 12-day tour of Latin America. At Paris London Park in Paysandu, Pope Leo XIV urged the crowd to be “bridge builders” and to “share the joy” of their faith.

More than 30,000 people, including many from Uruguay and neighboring Argentina and Brazil, had registered in advance to attend the service, which took place approximately 375km from the capital, Montevideo. The Vatican reported that an additional 10,000 people attended, despite the morning rain and overcast skies.

This marks the first mass of Pope Leo’s three-nation South American tour, which also includes Argentina and Peru. The tour had been uncertain following the 71-year-old American pope's lung cancer surgery last month. However, the pontiff appeared to be in good health on Saturday. While en route from Rome to Montevideo, Pope Leo XIV shared with reporters that his swift recovery was due to “trusting God, good doctors, good surgeons, and overall, I think a healthy lifestyle”.

The Pope's visit to Latin America occurs amidst significant political divisions in the region, with several right-wing leaders assuming power since United States President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January of the previous year. In contrast, left-wing Brazilian President Lula da Silva was re-elected for a fourth term last month.

In Paysandu, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the attendees to “forward the mission of evangelisation with enthusiasm” and to foster a “fraternal community that comes together and shares life, projects, dreams and hopes”. He also acknowledged the region’s cherished mate tea during his address, noting that its tradition of sharing from the same straw symbolizes community. “It teaches us to share and be together,” the pontiff remarked.

Approximately 60,000 people are expected to attend a nighttime prayer vigil led by the Pope in Montevideo later on Saturday. This visit to Uruguay is the first by a pope in nearly four decades. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to travel to Argentina on Sunday before concluding his tour in Peru. During his Argentine visit, he will address President Javier Milei, a prominent advocate for free markets and a close ally of US President Donald Trump.