Three South American nations welcomed Pope Leo XIV as he began apostolic visits spanning 12 days in the region.
During his first stop in Uruguay, the most secularized of the three countries, the pope urged his listeners at a prayer vigil not to settle for a merely decent life or habitual faith, but to give themselves completely to the Lord, finding in Him their true joy and fulfillment.
The pope also visited a parish named for St. Therese, to which his family in Chicago held a strong devotion. “The love of God,” he told parishioners, “is always with us.”
Pope Leo ended his visit to three cities in Uruguay by encouraging the faithful of all generations to continue sowing the seeds of Christian faith, even if young people do not practice it.
Argentina Hears Pope’s Words of Challenge, Encouragement
Arriving in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Pope Leo urged the country’s leaders, including President Javier Millei, to place the common good before political interests. The pope also called for greater cooperation among South American countries in confronting organized crime, human trafficking, arms and drug trafficking, and corruption.
The pope visited a home for persons with disabilities, and prayed that Christ’s love may “triumph over all individualism and exclusion.”
“Human dignity must always prevail over profit,” Pope Leo told leaders of social movements and labor.
Leaders of Christian communities and representatives of other religious traditions in Argentina heard the pope state that religions must build bridges, not division.
Pope Leo XIV also travelled to the central city of Córdoba, where he celebrated Mass and met with the local Church, before returning to the capital Buenos Aires and closing the day with a prayer vigil with young people.
He encouraged the faithful to stay united to Christ and proclaim His Gospel with joy to all, and recalled the many holy men and women that have come from this nation.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Buenos Aires hosted Pope Leo’s address to pastoral and synodal leaders. While there, he visited the cathedral’s commemorative plaque to the late Pope Francis, who served as the see’s archbishop before his own elevation to the papacy.
Pope Leo celebrated his final Mass in Argentina in Buenos Aires’ basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Lujan, patroness of the country. He invited the Argentine faithful on a journey of reconciliation, enlightenment, communion and mission, calling on them to “build bridges of charity and networks of solidarity.”
He concluded his visit to the country with gratitude “for welcoming me with such affection. I have felt at home here,” the pope said.
Peru Shows Affection in Moving Welcome to Former Bishop, Now Pope
Pope Leo then journeyed on to Peru where he received a warm welcome. He was visibly moved in the capital city Lima touring a stadium filled with young people who welcomed the Holy Father “home.” He was bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023, and his affection for Peru was evident in his visit.
In a prayer vigil with young people he offered them encouragement and said that Jesus “knows your story and continues to invite you to walk with Him.”
As he did earlier in Argentina, Pope Leo met with Peruvian victims of sexual abuse, expresses his closeness with them and his “desire to strengthen pathways of protection, goodness, welcome, and accompaniment within the Church.”
Pope Leo recalled the treasure of Latin American men and women declared saints and blessed in Peru and in Argentina.
Before moving on from Lima and other Peruvian cities on his trip, Pope Leo said, “We want to continue with that same spirit of joy” in Chiclayo, the city where he lived for eight years before being called to Rome to lead the Dicastery for Bishops and before his election as pope last year.
In a meeting with Catholic clergy, religious and lay leaders in Lima, he encouraged them to continue spreading the Gospel.
Recalling his early missionary work in Peru, where he was sent “to promote peace through justice, with particular concern for the weakest,” Pope Leo said, “I return today to encourage you to continue the work of spreading the Gospel, attentive to people’s lives and needs.”
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