Pope Leo urges fraternity at first South American Mass

Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics in Uruguay to build bridges of faith and fraternity during his first Mass in South America, held Saturday in Paysandú. The Vatican estimated that about 40,000 people attended, including more than 30,000 who had registered in advance and another 10,000 who arrived without registering.

In his homily, Leo linked the appeal to Paysandú’s location near a bridge connecting Uruguay and Argentina. He also pointed to mate, the herbal drink shared from a gourd, as an example of the bonds he said communities could build. The pope said the drink “teaches us to share and to be together, strengthening the bonds that unite us as brothers and sisters.”

The Mass took place in Parque París Londres, a green space on the southern edge of the city. The Vatican’s estimate of additional attendees came despite rain and blustery weather. Pilgrims included people from Uruguay, neighboring Argentina and Brazil. Many had registered ahead of the event, which was held about 375 kilometers from the capital, Montevideo.

Leo arrived in Uruguay on Friday, and the Paysandú Mass opened the Uruguay leg of a 12-day tour across Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. His trip had been in doubt after...