World Church · November 9, 2026
Pope Leo XIV urges Uruguay to protect the vulnerable and uphold democratic responsibility
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Montevideo on Friday and was received by Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi at Plaza Independencia. The Pope addressed government officials, diplomats, and civil society representatives, marking his first public speech in the country. He greeted Uruguayan citizens both at home and abroad, expressing gratitude for the invitation. The address centered on the monument to national hero José Gervasio Artigas, which depicts the 1811 exodus of the Eastern people, a historical migration led by Artigas. The Pope highlighted Artigas' assertion that political authority originates from the people and must be exercised with accountability to society. He noted that Uruguay celebrated four decades of uninterrupted democracy in 2025, emphasizing that public power must serve the common good within the rule of law while respecting citizen freedoms. The Pope also praised the nation's transition to renewable energy, urging continued responsibility in managing natural resources, water, and energy for future generations.
The Pope used imagery from the monument, including a woman holding a child, to discuss the dignity of the unborn and the importance of the family. He stated that unborn children belong to the human family and the nation's future, and their dependence on their mothers does not diminish their inherent worth. He emphasized that welcoming new life requires fathers to take responsibility, families to receive support, and society to create conditions for parents to raise children. Citing Pope John Paul II, he affirmed that the future of humanity passes through the family. He also stressed the right of children to a good education, noting that schools should develop their abilities and judgment. The Pope connected education to work, reminding listeners that work exists for the human person, not the reverse, a principle he deemed crucial in an era of rapid technological and artificial intelligence changes that should enhance human capabilities rather than reduce workers to interchangeable parts.
Addressing the elderly and those in need, the Pope asserted that human value cannot be measured by productivity or independence. He warned against loneliness, anxiety, and the loss of hope, highlighting the painful reality of suicide. He stressed that access to healthcare, strong family bonds, and community proximity are essential. He declared that no person should feel like a stranger among their own or believe their absence matters less than their presence. He extended this concern to those living with illness, disability, poverty, unemployment, or social exclusion, affirming their equal worth as full members of society. He cited Pope Benedict XVI, stating that humanity is fundamentally measured by its relationship to suffering and to those who suffer. The Church, he said, is called to recognize and serve Christ in the least and most vulnerable, collaborating with all good forces to alleviate suffering and offer hope that persists even when human resources are exhausted.
The Pope also addressed economic and social development, noting that while investment and wealth creation are important, their fruits must benefit the entire population. He acknowledged Uruguay's secular state structure and emphasized the need to guarantee freedom and respect for both believers and non-believers. He argued that state neutrality does not require limiting religion to private life, and that religious communities should be able to contribute to the common good while respecting the independence of civil institutions. On the international stage, he called for respect for law, negotiation, and peaceful conflict resolution. He noted that Uruguay, as the seat of the Mercosur secretariat, has the potential to foster greater understanding and cooperation in Latin America. The Pope concluded by returning to the monument's imagery, describing how the various figures represented the shared journey of the people.