Pope Leo hold first mass in Uruguay, urges crowd to be ‘bridge builders’

Pope Leo XIV has addressed tens of thousands of people gathered for his first mass in western Uruguay as he continues his12-day tourof Latin America.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church urged the crowd at Paris London Park in Paysandu on Saturday to be "bridge builders" and "share the joy" of their faith.

More than 30,000 people, including many from neighbouring Argentina and Brazil, had registered in advance to attend the service, about 375km (230 miles) from the capital, Montevideo. The Vatican said another 10,000 had also shown up, despite the morning rain and blustery, grey skies.

In his sermon, Leo drew inspiration from the nearby General Artigas International Bridge, which connects Uruguay and Argentina.

"It is not difficult to imagine the benefits a bridge brings: openness, communication and exchange. That is why it is so important to be builders of bridges," he said.

It was the first mass of Leo's three-nation South American tour, including Argentina and Peru, which had been in doubt after the 71-year-old American pope underwentlung cancer surgerylast month.

The pontiff appeared to be in good health on Saturday. While flying from Rome to Montevideo, Leo told reporters his speedy recovery was due to "trusting God, good doctors, good surgeons, and overall, I think a healthy lifestyle".

His visit to Latin America comes as the region contends with sharp political divisions, with several right-wing leaders coming to power since United States President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January last year.

Bucking the trend, left-wing Brazilian President Lula da Silva was re-elected for a fourth term in office last month.

In Paysandu, Leo urged the crowd to "forward the mission of evangelisation with enthusiasm" and to be a "fraternal community that comes together and shares life, projects, dreams and hopes".

During Saturday's address, he also paid homage to the region's beloved mate tea, often shared among groups who drink from the same straw in a symbolic show of community.

It "teaches us to share and be together", the pontiff said.

Leo also visited Casavalle on Saturday afternoon, a neighbourhood on the northern outskirts of Montevideo facing high rates of substance dependency and violent clashes between rival trafficking gangs.

The pope walked around the makeshift houses with corrugated metal roofing and unfinished construction projects, before listening to several testimonies from residents, including a mother who cried as she recounted raising a child while homeless.

Leo hugged the woman. In his remarks, the pontiff urged Uruguayans to "shake off" apathy towards poverty and inequality and help those in need. "We cannot ignore the many people around us who are suffering," he said.

Approximately 60,000 people are expected to gather for a night-time prayer vigil led by the pope in Montevideo later on Saturday.

Leo's visit to Uruguay is the first to the country by a pope in nearly four decades.

He will head to Argentina on Sunday before finishing his tour in Peru.

During his trip to Argentina, the pope will address President Javier Milei, a strong proponent of free markets and a close Trump ally.