Leo in the Land of Francis

In Paysandú, Leo tells the Church to be bridges

About 40,000 people gathered at Parque París Londres in Paysandú on Saturday as Leo presided at Mass and recalled Blessed Jacinto Vera, the “gaucho bishop” who cared for the wounded on both sides during the 1864 siege of the city. He held up three local symbols: the General Artigas International Bridge, the region’s palm groves, and the sharing of mate. “That is why it is so important to be builders of bridges!” he said. “This is the vocation to which we are all called: to build bridges, strengthen bonds, unite, communicate and share the joy of faith.” He closed, “I encourage you to carry forward the mission of evangelization with enthusiasm. Be bridges, so that many may encounter Jesus.” After Mass he stopped to pray at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. — Full text · Vatican News · Vatican News (Paysandú) · Also: Holy See Press Office

In Casavalle, Leo says do not ignore injustice

Visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Montevideo’s Casavalle neighborhood on Saturday afternoon, Leo said the gathering made him “feel at home” and recalled his years as a missionary. He greeted families at homes the parish built for those with limited means, an initiative he said he was glad to support through benefactors of the Papal Foundation, and told the community: “We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there are children in Uruguay who do not go to school for fear of never returning home. We cannot silence our conscience when we see a mother lacking the means to feed her children.” In “a country as rich in resources as this,” he said, children should never go to bed hungry or be denied a decent education “because of the insecurity that reigns in the streets.” “We must work together: the Church, civil society, and the State. We need to shake off our apathy and advocate for the common good.” — Full text · Vatican News · Also: Holy See Press Office

At the Centenario, Leo says do not settle for mediocrity

Local authorities put more than 70,000 people inside Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario on Saturday evening, with another 30,000 following from outside, as Leo led a prayer vigil on his last night in Uruguay. Reflecting on secularization and religious indifference, he said God chose Bethlehem “to prevent us from equating smallness with insignificance,” and asked whether there is still room for Christ in our time, thoughts, and homes. “Be saints!” he said. “Do not settle for a merely decent life or for a habitual faith, content with doing only the essential. Do not give God only a part of yourselves — give yourselves completely!” “Christ did not call us to mediocrity; he called us to a new and full life like his own.” He also urged young people: “dare to take the step of marrying, starting a family yourselves. Do not be afraid of “forever”!” — Full text · Vatican News · Also: Holy See Press Office

Also today

• Leo to Uruguay’s educators: others are a blessing, not a threat — Full text. At the Catholic University of Uruguay, Leo thanked Catholic educators and walked through the five senses, urging “judicious use of technologies and AI, placing the person before the algorithm.” “Those who listen recognize others as a blessing, not as a threat,” he said. · Vatican News
• Argentina awaits Leo’s arrival — Vatican News. Later today he celebrates Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three in Florida, Uruguay, on the patroness’s feast, then flies to Buenos Aires. Follow the itinerary and texts on WPI’s trip page.
• Leo in the Land of Francis — Claudio Iván Remeseira, Where Peter Is. A long-form preview of the Nov. 6–17 journey through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
• Franciscan martyr Augusto Ramírez Monasterio beatified in Guatemala — Vatican News. Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega presided Saturday in Antigua on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, 43 years to the day after the friar was killed during Guatemala’s civil war; he was recognized as a martyr for defending the seal of confession.