Pope Leo draws 40,000 to Uruguay Mass

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in South America on November 7 before an estimated crowd of 40,000 at Parque París Londres in Paysandú. More than 30,000 people had registered, and another 10,000 arrived, the Vatican said. The city lies about 375 kilometers from Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital, and across a bridge from Argentina.

Pilgrims began entering the park at 5:30 a.m. in rain ponchos as a band played hymns. Many had traveled from Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Leo was greeted by cheers when he arrived in an open-sided popemobile. The visit was part of a 12-day, three-country tour that had been uncertain after the 71-year-old pope underwent lung cancer surgery on October 13.

Leo’s visit comes as the Church seeks to strengthen its presence in Uruguay, described as South America’s most secular country. On Friday, he urged clergy and seminarians to model their lives on Christ, saying such example could help connect with young people who have grown up distant from the Church. Uruguay recorded zero seminarians entering in 2024, although a small number have begun priestly formation since.

The Mass honored Blessed Jacinto Vera, Uruguay’s first bishop, who was known for traveling to aid poor communities. Later on November 7, Leo was due to visit a Montevideo neighborhood troubled by the narcotics trade and gang-related crime, where Church groups work with city authorities on housing and addiction rehabilitation. A prayer vigil at Centenary Stadium was scheduled as his final event in Uruguay before continuing to Argentina and Peru.