World Church · November 11, 2026
Pope Leo XIV Consecrates Uruguay to Mary and Urges Faithful to Resist Secular Drift
Pope Leo XIV concluded his pastoral visit to Uruguay by consecrating the nation to the Virgin Mary and imploring divine protection against forces seeking to separate the country from Christ. During a Mass celebrated before a large crowd in the city of Florida, the Pontiff delivered a homily that encouraged believers not to become discouraged by the prevailing anti-religious and atheistic atmosphere. The ceremony took place in front of the Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, who serves as the patroness of the nation. The Pope emphasized that the history of Uruguay is intimately linked to the Virgin, noting that men turned to her in eighteen twenty-five, establishing her enduring role in the national identity despite subsequent societal changes.
The Bishop of Rome offered profound praise for the role of women in the history of the world, in the Bible, and specifically within the life of Uruguay. He highlighted mothers and grandmothers who lived and transmitted the faith, making specific reference to Mother Rubatto and the blesseds Dolores and Consuelo. The Pope posed a rhetorical question regarding the origin of the faith held by the present generation, answering that there is always a woman behind its transmission. He specifically addressed those women who taught the faith but now see their children and grandchildren ignoring it and staying away from the temple. Inviting them to look to Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, he recalled how she never ceased praying and working for her son's return to the Lord. He exhorted them not to consider their teachings lost, asserting that the Lord causes growth even where the sower is unaware, and urged them to continue blessing and accompanying their families because God opens doors that humans cannot.
Turning his attention to men, fathers, and grandfathers, the Pope stated that young people need to see them praying, respecting the family, and asking for forgiveness. He insisted that faith must occupy a true place in family life and that men must teach that God comes first. The Pontiff explained that transmitting the faith means bringing Christ to others, just as Mary did when she visited Saint Elizabeth, a reference to the Gospel proclaimed during the celebration. He called on the entire nation to embark on a spiritual journey, urging the faithful to approach people, listen to them, and lead them to Christ. He reiterated that Christ is present in the poor, the sick, and those who are alone. The Pope concluded his message by formally consecrating the nation to Mary again and begging God to preserve Uruguay from those who wish to alienate it from Christ, characterizing work against the faith as the work of the enemy of happiness.
Following the liturgy, Pope Leo XIV presented the Golden Rose to the patroness of Uruguay. After greeting the multitude and finalizing details, he departed to travel the distance of more than ninety kilometers separating Florida from Montevideo. From the capital, he is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires to begin his pastoral visit to Argentina, which is set to continue until November eleven, after which he will travel to Peru. Observers noted that although his face showed signs of fatigue, the Pope never stopped smiling and took advantage of his closeness to the people. The crowds offered greetings, requests, flags, and emotion, responding to the hope and great joy brought by the Pontiff, thereby fulfilling the objective of the motto with which the nation received him.