Pope Leo XIV continues his trip to South America

He walks the last few meters. Pope Leo XIV didn't bring the white Popemobile with him to Casavalle. And in doing so, it sets the first example. He really wants to meet the people in this neighborhood on the outskirts of Montevideo.

Poverty is particularly high here and crime and violence are part of everyday life. And children in Casavalle have a particularly difficult start to life, despite the relative prosperity in Uruguay. Katerhine Silva told the Pope and everyone else about this last night. How she experienced violence and abuse as a child and ended up on the streets at the age of 15. And then she looks Leo XIV in the eyes and says:

A plea against indifference

It is one of the rare moments when an otherwise controlled pope shows how much such words move him. You feel a little reminded of its predecessor. His answer also sounds like Pope Francis. A passionate plea against indifference in the face of poverty and violence. “We must not look away,” warns the pontiff. A child in this country, which is so rich in resources, should not go to sleep hungry - nor should they have to forego a proper education and a dignified future because of the insecurity on the streets. "And it should certainly not be the case that it suffers violence that, in extreme cases, can lead to death."

Largely secularized society

The Pope's visit to South America is not a home game. The equation Latin America equals Catholic no longer applies. And not for a long time in Uruguay, where 30 percent of the population belongs to the Catholic Church.

After visiting the poor neighborhood of Casavalle, Leo XIV continues to the stadium in Montevideo. Now in the Popemobile with the Vatican standard on the shiny white hood. This is followed by an evening service with the Catholic youth of Uruguay. How does being a Christian work in a largely religiously disinterested environment? "Even in these circumstances, there are people who persevere: parents who pray with their children. Teachers who strive to live and witness the faith. Young people who have discovered Christ and want to follow him, even when they feel alone," the Pope said.

Next stage Argentina

Completely different signs apply to the next stage of this journey. Leo XIV visits neighboring Argentina. The anticipation is huge here. Monday is a public holiday throughout Argentina. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend masses and meetings with the Pope.

President Javier Milei is scheduled to receive the Pope this evening, and he also speaks of a “special event.” Knowing that he had invited Leo XIV, a staunch critic of his ultra-liberal and socially ruthless policies. But Milei emphasizes:

What the Pope has to say to Milei he may have already revealed in Montevideo, during his visit to the slums of Casavalle. "We must decide whether we want to build a new city in which no one is excluded," said Leo XIV, "or whether we will comfortably mind our own business."