Pope Leo celebrates Mass in Uruguay on first Latin America tour
The pope will hold a Sunday Mass in Florida before flying to Argentina, the next stop on his 12-day tour.
Pope Leo XIV led a Mass in Paysandu, Uruguay, on Saturday, the second day of his visit, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
During the service, Leo reflected on the long history of faith in the Rio de la Plata region and stressed solidarity, community and cooperation.
He tied those themes to everyday local images, including the General Artigas International Bridge, palm groves and mate, the traditional South American drink.
Speaking to the congregation, the pope encouraged people to build connections and strengthen the bonds that hold society together.
The Mass fell on the middle day of a three-day stay in Uruguay, the first stop on a 12-day tour that will also take him to Argentina and Peru.
After Paysandu, the pope is due in Montevideo, where he will meet vulnerable communities and educators in the Casavalle neighborhood and attend a prayer vigil at Centenario Stadium.
On Sunday, he is scheduled to celebrate Mass in the city of Florida before leaving for Argentina.
The trip is the first papal visit to Uruguay since John Paul II travelled to the country in 1988.
Uruguay is largely secular and has a longstanding separation of church and state, and it is hosting a pope with long-standing ties to the region.
