Pope Leo XIV, the 71-year-old head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, has begun a 12-day tour of South America, where he served as a missionary for nearly two decades. This visit comes just three weeks after he underwent surgery for lung cancer. On Saturday, he visited the crime-ridden Montevideo neighborhood of Casavalle, where the murder rate is four times the national average. Residents shared their experiences of living with commonplace gun violence.
During his visit to Casavalle, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concerns about the deaths of children in areas gripped by drug violence. He stated that children in Uruguay should never have to go to bed hungry or suffer violence to the point of losing their lives. The Pope's words were met with emotional responses from residents, including Katherine Silva, a young mother who shared her story of overcoming homelessness and abuse as a child.
The Pope also addressed the issue of declining fertility rates in Latin America, which could lead to a further decline in the Catholic population. At a candle-lit prayer vigil in Montevideo's Centenario stadium, he urged young people to "dare to take the step of marrying and starting a family yourselves." The event was attended by 60,000 people, who welcomed the Pope with enthusiasm.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Uruguay also included a celebration of mass in the northwestern city of Paysandu. There, he called on Catholics in largely secular Uruguay to be "bridge builders." The Pope drew applause by paying homage to the local tradition of sharing a herbal infusion called mate.
The Pope's tour of South America will take him to Argentina and Peru, where he served as bishop. His visit had been in doubt due to his recent cancer diagnosis, but he assured journalists that he was "in fairly good shape." During his tour, he will address various issues, including the importance of ensuring AI is put at the service of human dignity.
At the Catholic University of Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV warned of the "dehumanization" that can occur through the use of AI in education. He urged schools and universities to place the "person before the algorithm." This theme has been a key part of his papacy.
As Pope Leo XIV continues his tour of South America, he will likely face various challenges and opportunities to engage with local communities. His visit to Uruguay has already highlighted the issues of drug violence and declining fertility rates, and his message of hope and encouragement to young people has resonated with many.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV urges young people to marry and start families despite declining fertility rates in Latin America.
- The Pope condemns drug violence in Uruguay, where the murder rate has risen sharply in recent years.
- Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the importance of ensuring AI is put at the service of human dignity during his visit to the Catholic University of Uruguay.
