Pope Leo XIV embarks on a "homecoming trip" to South America, calling on regional countries to unite and cooperate

(Central News Agency, Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, comprehensive foreign news report on the 6th) Pope Leo XIV (Pope Leo XIV) arrived in Uruguay today to start a 12-day visit to three South American countries, calling on regional countries to work together to solve common problems. The journey will visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru and is expected to attract millions of people.

Reuters reported that Leo XIV was born in Chicago, USA, and lived in Peru for decades. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope viewed the trip as a "homecoming" because he has deep ties to these places.

When Leo XIV arrived at Carrasco airport in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, he was greeted by Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi and two children holding flowers. Later, the Pope delivered a speech to at least 30,000 people in Independence Square, calling on South American countries to set an example for international cooperation.

The Pope said, "In this era when disagreements can easily turn into conflicts, insisting on respecting the law and patiently seeking consensus through consultation are Uruguay's sustainable contributions to its neighboring countries." He is expected to visit three cities in Uruguay.

He also called for the global economy to serve everyone, not just the richest people in the world, and once again warned against the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that new technologies must not allow workers to "be reduced to disposable cogs in the production process."

The trip is expected to visit 10 cities, travel approximately 31,000 kilometers, and deliver 36 speeches. The pope will also celebrate outdoor masses in key locations, visit a prison in Argentina, and fly by helicopter to remote communities in the Peruvian Andes. The Vatican said his speech would cover issues such as environmental damage, weapons smuggling and regional political instability.

South America has been experiencing political turmoil recently. After Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was re-elected last month, his defeated opponent Flavio. Flavio Bolsonaro has traveled to the United States and accused Lula's government of plotting a coup against him. Argentine President Javier Milei also refused to recognize Lula's victory, and Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with him on the 8th. Peru has had eight presidents since 2016. Argentine officials estimate that about 7 million people will participate in Pope-related activities.

Although Latin America has the largest number of Catholics in the world, the Catholic Church has been hit by the expansion of evangelical churches and sexual abuse scandals in recent years. Local church leaders hope that the Pope's trip can revive faith and repair the church's image. The Vatican said the pope will also meet with victims of clergy sexual abuse.

The 71-year-old Leo XIV underwent surgery for lung adenocarcinoma in October. The Vatican said this week that the pope has made a full recovery and does not require additional medical protection measures during his trip. However, experts warned that due to the tight schedule and the high altitude of the Peruvian Andes, the Pope may need to take a break and supplement with extra oxygen if necessary.