First modification: 07/11/2026 - 13:18Last modification: 07/11/2026 - 15:21

Citizens from different parts of Latin America arrived early this Saturday, November 7, at Paris London Park in the city of Paysandú, where Pope Leo XIV offers a massive mass, on the second day of his visit to Uruguay. The pontiff begins his tour of the region – which will also take him to Peru and Argentina – a month after his lung surgery.

The essentials:

Below, the main news this Saturday, November 7, about Pope Leo XIV's tour of three Latin American countries, something described by the pontiff as a “return home”:

With an ode to mate, the pope urges the faithful in Uruguay to build bridges of brotherhood and faith

Pope Leo XIV urged thousands of people in Uruguay to build bridges of brotherhood and faith. He did so this Saturday during his first mass in South America, where he took the opportunity to dedicate an ode to mate—the infusion so appreciated in the region—and to strengthen the presence of the Catholic Church in the most secular country in the area.

The crowd erupted into a stadium-style chant — "Olé, olé, olé, olé, papa, papa!" — when León's plane landed in Paysandú, in western Uruguay, near the border with Argentina. The attendees cheered again, sounded horns and waved yellow scarves upon their arrival at the mass site, aboard the open-topped popemobile, in Paris London Park, a large green space located at the southern end of Paysandú.

Live: Leo XIV begins mass mass in Paysandú, Uruguay, the first country of his visit to Latin America

Argentina will deploy almost 53,000 troops to guarantee security during the visit of Pope Leo XIV

Argentina will deploy 52,900 security forces to guarantee order during the visit of Pope Leo XIV, who will arrive in the country this Sunday as part of his first tour of Latin America. The Minister of National Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, described the device as "historic" and "unprecedented." The operation includes 60 kilometers of fencing, controls on access to mass celebrations and temporary restrictions on airspace, with the participation of federal forces and police from Buenos Aires and Córdoba.

In the Argentine capital, 16,680 police officers will be mobilized, in addition to 2,041 traffic officers and 120 health professionals, supported by 28 ambulances and two mobile hospitals. Leo The authorities consider that the magnitude of the call requires extraordinary deployment to guarantee the safety of attendees.

Pope Leo XIV asked for attention to suicides and defended the dignity of the unborn in Uruguay

Pope Leo XIV defended the dignity of the unborn on Friday and demanded greater attention to sick people and suicide prevention during his first speech before the Uruguayan authorities, in Montevideo's Independence Square. In a country characterized by its high level of secularization and by having laws that allow abortion and euthanasia, the pontiff maintained that life must be protected in all its stages and affirmed that those who have not yet been born are part of the human family and deserve protection.

During his speech, before thousands of people and in the presence of President Yamandú Orsi, Leo XIV also reflected on the coexistence between believers and non-believers and highlighted that the secular character of the State must guarantee freedom and respect for all convictions. The pontiff stressed that religious and cultural plurality is part of Uruguayan identity and defended that the religious dimension have a presence in public life, without being limited to the private sphere.

In images: citizens from different Latin American countries wait for the massive mass of Leo XIV in Paysandú, Uruguay

Faithful in Paris London Park, waiting for a mass celebrated by Pope Leo - in the first papal visit to Uruguay since 1988, as part of his 12-day trip through South America -, in Paysandú, Uruguay, on November 7, 2026. Reuters/Mariana Nedelcu.

Faithful gather in Paris London Park for the papal mass, as part of the pontiff's first visit to Uruguay since 1988 - part of his 12-day trip through South America - in Paysandú, Uruguay, on November 7, 2026. Reuters/Mariana Nedelcu.

The Pope makes his tour of Latin America less than a month after lung surgery

Three weeks after surgery for lung cancer, Pope Leo

The 71-year-old pope arrived in Montevideo, Uruguay—the most secular country in Latin America—after a 13-and-a-half-hour flight from Rome, during which he acknowledged that "some people" had doubted whether he would be able to make the grueling 12-day trip. "I confess that, from the first day, I had no doubts and was convinced that this trip had to go ahead," he told reporters aboard the papal plane.

As if to prove it, he got to work immediately, drawing crowds in Montevideo as he toured the city in his open popemobile. The Vatican estimated that 30,000 people turned out to see him pass and attend his first event in the city.

Pope Leo waves from an open vehicle as he is transferred to the Metropolitan Cathedral, on the first papal visit to Uruguay since 1988, as part of his 12-day trip through Latin America. In Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 6, 2026. Reuters/Martin Varela Umpierrez.

Uruguay highlights the coincidences with Pope Leo XIV and anticipates a greater rapprochement with the Vatican

The Uruguayan Foreign Minister, Mario Lubetkin, highlighted this Friday the "many coincidences" between Pope Leo XIV's speech and the Government's priorities, especially in matters of peace, child poverty, education, mental health, protection of the elderly and the environment. The minister also valued the pontiff's recognition of the Uruguayan energy transition, whose matrix has more than 95% renewable generation, and considered that the harmony between both parties transcends religious differences.

During his meeting with the authorities, Leo XIV highlighted Uruguay's role as a promoter of dialogue and regional integration, and urged the country to continue promoting peaceful solutions to Latin American controversies. Lubetkin stated that the visit, which is part of the pontiff's first tour of Latin America, will strengthen relations with the Vatican and expand cooperation on strategic issues, such as social challenges and artificial intelligence.

Everything ready for the mass of Pope Leo XIV in Paysandú, Uruguay, the first country of his visit to Latin America

Thousands of Argentines, Brazilians and Uruguayans began to gather early this Saturday in the Paris London Park in Paysandú to participate in the first mass of Pope Leo XIV in Latin America, within the framework of his second day of official visit to Uruguay. Despite the rain and low temperatures during the night, numerous pilgrims waited for hours at the gates of the site to secure a place in this historic celebration.

Some traveled hundreds of kilometers from cities in Argentina and Brazil, while others arrived from different parts of Uruguayan territory, driven by emotion and the expectation of witnessing the meeting with the pontiff. The mass, scheduled for 10:00 local time (13:00 GMT), has sparked a notable regional mobilization and has exceeded the attendance expectations of the organizers.

After the religious celebration, Leo XIV will return to Montevideo, where he plans to visit the Casavalle neighborhood and the Catholic University of Uruguay during the afternoon. Later, at 7:00 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT), he will lead a prayer vigil at the historic Centenario stadium, one of the country's main sports venues.

The pontiff arrived in Uruguay on Friday, when he was received at the Carrasco International Airport by President Yamandú Orsi. During his first day he held a bilateral meeting with the president, participated in the official welcome ceremony, received the keys to the city of Montevideo and met with representatives of the clergy in the metropolitan cathedral. The visit constitutes an event of special relevance for the Uruguayan Catholic community and also brings together faithful from neighboring countries.

Live: Pope Leo XIV will celebrate mass in Paysandú, Uruguay, the first country of his visit to Latin America

Welcome to this minute by minute with the main news of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Latin America, described by the pontiff as a "return home."

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