Pope Leo XIV leads a prayer vigil at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on Nov. 7, drawing more than 70,000 people, according to the event account. (Foto: Instagram)
Pope Leo XIV led a prayer vigil Saturday night, Nov. 7, at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, drawing more than 70,000 faithful, according to the account of the event. The gathering at the Uruguayan capital’s main sports venue came on the second day of his apostolic trip to South America and his first international stop in Uruguay.
The Vatican says 33% of adults in Uruguay identify as Catholic, while 9% say they actively practice the faith. Reflecting on secularization and religious indifference, Leo XIV said that in many places, faith is no longer passed from one generation to the next as it was in the past. “When people try to build a world without God, they risk leaving humanity without a place as well,” he said.
The pope’s visit comes weeks after surgery on his right lung. On arriving in Montevideo, he said he was physically well enough to follow the planned schedule. In a message released Friday and focused on cooperation among South American nations, Leo XIV acknowledged that some people had questioned whether the trip should go ahead. He said he had been convinced from the outset that it should take place and was pleased to be there. He also thanked God and the medical professionals accompanying him, saying he felt very well.
The operation took place Oct. 13 at Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The pope’s recovery proceeded as expected, and the Holy See said late last month that there were no medical reasons to prevent him from traveling.
Uruguay is the first destination of Leo XIV’s sixth international apostolic journey. He was scheduled to remain there through Sunday, Nov. 8, before traveling to Argentina and then Peru. His agenda includes meetings with government officials, religious services and gatherings with local communities. After arriving Friday, he attended a welcome ceremony at Plaza Independencia in Montevideo. Other planned engagements included meetings with representatives of the government, civil society and the diplomatic corps, as well as a visit with Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi.
The 12-day journey is set to take the pope through three countries and 14 locations, with more than 50 engagements on the schedule. The program includes Masses and meetings with officials, young people, religious figures and representatives of Amazonian communities. The trip also brings Leo XIV back to a continent where he lived for more than two decades, particularly Peru, where he served as a missionary and bishop. The journey is scheduled to end Nov. 17, when he returns to Rome.
