More than 40,000 gather as Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Uruguay

On Saturday morning, an estimated 40,000 people attended the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV during his 12-day tour of South America. The Pope, who is 71 years old and hails from the United States, holds citizenship in Peru and the Vatican. The Mass took place in Paysandu, a city located approximately 375 kilometers (230 miles) west of Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, along the Uruguay River.

Around 30,000 people from Uruguay and neighboring Argentina and Brazil had registered for the event, while an additional 10,000 attendees braved the rain to participate in the religious service. Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by large crowds as he traveled from the local airport to the sprawling Paris London Park in Paysandu.

In his address, the Pope emphasized the importance of charity and brotherly love, stating that he is seeking to raise awareness of the Catholic Church in Uruguay, which is South America's most secular country. The Pope, who recently underwent surgery for lung cancer, aims to help the nation and its citizens cope with modern world troubles through a message of peace and compassion.

The Pontiff will continue his tour in Montevideo, where he will address a neighborhood plagued by drug violence and participate in a prayer vigil at Centenary Stadium, expected to draw around 60,000 young faithful. The Pope will stress the importance of rejecting religious indifference and embracing Christ's teachings.