Culture and Ideas · November 9, 2026
Pope Leo XIV addresses Uruguayan authorities on civic duty and family
Pope Leo XIV met with the President of Uruguay, diplomats, civil officials, and prominent citizens during the first stage of his apostolic journey to Latin America. The meeting took place in the Republic of Uruguay, where the Pope delivered a message to the assembled leaders. He expressed gratitude for the invitation, the greetings, and the warm welcome extended by the Uruguayan President. The Pope stated his desire to greet all inhabitants of Uruguay, regardless of their location. He noted that in the coming days, he would have the opportunity to visit different parts of the country, meet with men and women, and engage with the history of the nation. He highlighted the special place of Florida in this context, noting that it is where the Virgin of the Thirty Third, the patroness of Uruguay, is venerated. The Pope placed his apostolic journey and every person he met under the protection of Mary, describing her presence as a special companionship in the country's history that connects different generations.
The Pope recalled the exile of the eastern people in 1811, known as La Redota. He pointed to the monument of Artigas in the center of the square, featuring a bronze relief by Angelo Zanelli that depicts the event. The Pope described specific figures in the artwork, noting that they illustrate solid realities of present day Uruguay. At the top of the artwork, Artigas appears alone on horseback, while below he is surrounded by a crowd among his people. This imagery recalls words Artigas spoke to representatives of the former province in April 1813, stating that his authority comes from the people and ends with their supreme presence. The Pope explained that this conveys the idea that authority is received from a specific community and entails responsibility toward that community. He noted that in 2025, Uruguay marked four decades of republic, during which different governments succeeded one another by the will of citizens. He emphasized that public authority must work for the common good, respecting the freedom and responsibility of citizens within the law. The value of structures that allow participation in public life lies in their ability to express institutional power and organize the election of those who assume leadership roles.
The Pope discussed the responsibility of planning for the common good, which involves handing over to future generations what is currently held. He observed that Uruguay has significantly transformed its electrical grid in recent decades, making it almost entirely dependent on renewable sources. He described this as a major success requiring years of continuous decision making and participation from different sectors of the country. This progress now poses new challenges regarding the sustainable use of transport, production, land, water, and energy. The Pope stated that long term planning means maintaining the ability to use these resources without compromising future possibilities. He connected this to the care of those who inhabit the land, including the conditions for birth and development and the opportunities people face throughout their lives. He noted that Uruguay's demographic situation heightens this concern. Referring to a figure in the artwork of a woman holding a child, the Pope said that the child is held close to the chest while the crowd moves forward. He emphasized that the unborn are already members of the human family and the future of their people. Their total dependence on their mothers does not diminish the respect that must be preserved. Welcoming a new child requires parents to share responsibilities necessary for the family's development, helping the child grow in society. The protection of the unborn and those who welcome them are inseparable. The family is the first place where every person is welcomed and learns to live with others. He quoted Pope John Paul II, who visited this land, stating that the future of humanity passes through the family.
The Pope noted that in another part of the artwork, children are seen walking alongside adults. He explained that before children are capable of making decisions or working, they are members of the community. Those walking beside adults will one day bear the responsibility of carrying the community forward. Caring for the smallest members of society acknowledges their right to proper education. The home where children grow, the nutrition they receive, and the presence of adults shape their early years. Education prepares children to develop their abilities, make decisions, take responsibility, and participate independently in society. The Pope emphasized that education must provide concrete opportunities for employment, allowing individuals to use the fruits of their learning and achieve autonomy through personal effort. Work is a structure that provides every person the opportunity to develop their abilities while cooperating for the welfare of others. He quoted Pope John Paul II from Laborem Exercens, stating that work is for man, not man for work. The Pope addressed the context of rapid change in technology and artificial intelligence.