Pope Leo leaves Uruguay and heads to most fraught stop of his tour in Milei’s Argentina
Quick Look
Pope Leo XIV concluded his Uruguay visit by praising women who pass on the Catholic faith and celebrating the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three in Florida, before heading to Argentina for the politically delicate second leg of his South American tour.
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Why It Matters
Pope Leo XIV visited Uruguay, described as Latin America's most secular country, where the church has played a role since its founding. He travelled to Florida, north of Montevideo, to mark the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three before heading to Argentina.
Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by praising the women who have passed the Catholic faith on to younger generations, as he highlighted the role the church has played since the founding of Latin America's most secular country.
The pope travelled to the city of Florida, north of Montevideo, to mark an important Catholic feast day before heading to Argentina for the second leg of his South American tour. It is expected to be the most politically delicate stop, given the Catholic Church's sharp criticisms of the austerity programme of libertarian President Javier Milei.
For his final event in Uruguay, Leo celebrated the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three. According to tradition, 33 independence patriots acquired the Guarani statue and had it with them when independence was declared from the Brazilian empire in Florida on August 25, 1825.
Open Questions
- What specific criticisms has the Catholic Church made of Javier Milei's austerity programme?
- What events are planned during the pope's visit to Argentina?
