Pope Leo XIV has embarked on a massive 31,000 km South America tour just weeks after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The Pontiff arrived in Uruguay on Friday and his first message to the South American countries was that of unity.
He urged the regional countries to set aside their political differences and work together.
Around 30,000 people gathered to see the first American pope speak at Independent Square. He urged governments to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations rather than confrontation.
The Pope praised Uruguay’s democratic traditions and said the country could serve as an example for its neighbours at a time of growing political division across the continent.
He is scheduled to visit 10 different cities in Argentina and Peru. The Pope will deliver 36 speeches over the next 12 days.
The visit is particularly significant as the leader of the Catholic Church spent years in Peru as a missionary and then bishop before becoming the pontiff.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni described the journey as a homecoming to places where Leo had spent much of his life.
During his first address, the pope also warned against allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to make workers expendable and called for an economy that benefits ordinary people rather than just the wealthy.
The visit comes amid political tensions between Brazil and Argentina, while Peru continues to face prolonged political instability.
Leo is scheduled to meet Argentine President Javier Milei on Sunday before travelling to Peru on November 11.
The Vatican said the pope had fully recovered from the October surgery and required no special medical precautions during the tour.Â
