NewsWPLG Local 10November 6, 2026Miami-Dade County
Pope Leo XIV begins South American tour with official welcome in Montevideo
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay on Friday to begin a South American tour, receiving an official welcome from President Yamandú Orsi and addressing crowds in Montevideo's Plaza Independencia. During his visit, the pope praised Uruguay's use of renewable energy and emphasized family life and human dignity, while local citizens and officials gathered across the capital to greet him.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The papal visit brings international attention and large public gatherings across Montevideo, involving official diplomatic receptions with current and former Uruguayan leaders as well as local youth and community groups.
Key Facts
- Pope Leo XIV arrived at Carrasco International Airport in Montevideo on Friday at 16:20 local time (19:20 GMT) to begin his South American tour.
- President Yamandú Orsi and former presidents Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera, Luis Lacalle Pou, and Julio María Sanguinetti greeted the pope at Plaza Independencia.
- During his first address, the pope praised Uruguay's transition to renewable energy sources for electricity generation.
- A group of 52 children and adolescents from the Ministry of the Interior's Pelota al Medio a la Esperanza social program greeted the pontiff.
- The Uruguayan government presented the pope with a hand-woven merino wool blanket and a traditional criollo horse harness set.
- Cathedral and parish church bells across Uruguay rang for five minutes when the papal plane landed.
- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva received a message and blessing from the pope while flying toward Uruguay.
Who's Mentioned
locationPerú“Country where the pope previously served as missionary and bishop”PersonLuis Alberto Lacalle Herrera“Former president of Uruguay”locationArgentina“Native land of the pope's predecessor”PersonAlexander Griffin“38-year-old merchant in Montevideo”PersonMarie Hernández“75-year-old retired Catholic attending the welcome”PersonDaniel Sturla“Cardinal and Archbishop of Montevideo”OrganizationVaticano“State headquarters of the Catholic Church”PersonEstela“Travelled from Fray Bentos to see the pope”locationUruguay“Country hosting the start of the papal tour”PersonFrancisco Legnani“Intendant of Canelones”PersonLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva“President of Brazil”locationMontevideo“Capital city of Uruguay hosting the arrival”PersonAmalia“Travelled from Fray Bentos to see the pope”PersonMario Lubetkin“Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay”PersonClaudia Romero“Entrepreneur from Ciudad de la Costa creating handmade gifts”locationFray Bentos“City from which citizens traveled to Montevideo”PersonAriel“Travelled from Fray Bentos to see the pope”PersonMilton Tróccoli“Monsignor and President of the Episcopal Conference”PersonLeón XIV“Pope visiting Uruguay on a South American tour”PersonLuis Lacalle Pou“Former president of Uruguay”PersonYamandú Orsi“Current president of Uruguay”PersonJulio María Sanguinetti“Former president of Uruguay”locationBrasil“Nation receiving a papal message while the president overflew it”