Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, church highlights social work

Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Uruguay from November 6 to 8, a trip that the local Catholic Church hopes will highlight its social work. The definitive schedule for the pontiff's visit will be announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Apostolic Nunciature.

According to preliminary plans, the Pope will arrive in Montevideo on November 6. The following day, he is scheduled to fly to Paysandú in the morning and return to Montevideo in the afternoon to visit the Casavalle area. This visit to Casavalle is a priority for the local Catholic Church, which has 25 institutions actively working in the community.

A celebration is planned for Saturday evening at the Estadio Centenario. On Sunday morning, around 10 a.m., Pope Leo XIV will travel to the city of Florida to participate in the celebration of the feast of the Virgen de los Treinta y Tres, the patron saint of Uruguay. Travel to Florida will be by land, while the trip to Paysandú will be by plane.

While a proposal was made to include a visit to the Cristo Obrero church in Estación Atlántida, a UNESCO World Heritage site, church sources indicated it is unlikely due to the Pope's brief visit and focus on large gatherings. The possibility of the Pope addressing the General Assembly was also discarded, reportedly disappointing some legislators.