Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Uruguay on Sunday, praising women who have passed the Catholic faith to younger generations. He highlighted the church's role in the country's founding. Leo traveled to Florida, north of Montevideo, to mark the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three. This feast commemorates 33 independence patriots who acquired a Guaraní statue, which they had with them when independence was declared from the Brazilian empire in 1825.
In his homily, Leo recalled the statue's presence at the time of independence, reminding Uruguayans that their history cannot be fully understood without reference to God. He thanked mothers and grandmothers who passed the faith to younger generations and acknowledged their pain when their efforts didn't stick. Leo urged them not to despair and to continue passing on the faith. Tens of thousands of people attended the Mass in Florida's main square under blue skies.
The Pope's visit to Uruguay was his first in nearly four decades. He aimed to remind Uruguayans that the Catholic Church is part of their national identity. Although the country has become secular and sometimes anticlerical, Leo's presence was seen as an opportunity to reconnect with the faith. Fiama Pirez, an English professor, attended the Mass with her mother, who fulfilled a dream to see a pope. Pirez said she was rediscovering her Catholic faith.
Pope Leo's next stop is Argentina, where he will meet President Javier Milei. The meeting is expected to be delicate due to the Catholic Church's criticism of Milei's austerity measures, which have slashed social spending. Milei has staked his presidency on cutting social spending to overhaul Argentina's economy. The Catholic Church has criticized his measures, and Leo's visit may be seen as a challenge to Milei's policies.
The Argentine church has been a sharp critic of Milei's government, which has slashed the healthcare budget by 48% and proposed cuts to the public university system. Poverty in Argentina reached 32.3% of the population during the first half of 2026. Milei's government has portrayed the cuts as necessary reforms to remake the economy. Leo has warned about the threats of artificial intelligence and called for strict safeguards on its development.
In Buenos Aires, posters reading "At last, a Lion who unites" appeared, playing on the pope's name in Spanish and the lion imagery Milei often uses. Luis Bahamondes, a professor at the University of Chile, said Argentina is experiencing significant upheaval, polarization, and an economic crisis. The Argentine church is completing unfinished business left by Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate.
Leo's visit to Argentina is seen as a completion of Francis' legacy. The Pope's trip may be tense due to disagreements over Francis' legacy in Argentina. David Lantigua, a theology professor, said there will be tension with Leo, as he continues the ministry Francis left behind. Argentina's state intelligence agency arrested a person over death threats against Leo ahead of his arrival.
Key points
- The Pope's visit to Argentina is expected to be more politically delicate due to President Javier Milei's austerity program.
- The Catholic Church has criticized Milei's measures, which have slashed social spending and proposed cuts to the public university system.
- Pope Leo's visit to Argentina is completing unfinished business left by Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate.
