Salto must return bust of Pope John Paul II because customs clearance was not granted

A bust of Pope John Paul II installed in Salto has to return across the border to Concordia because Uruguay’s customs authorities granted only temporary permission for it to enter.

The statue was donated by Asociación Civil Polska Concordia of Argentina, whose headquarters are near Salto. The group installed it in Parque Mattos Neto during a Mass commemorating John Paul II’s visit to the city on May 9, 1988. The ceremony also expressed anticipation of Pope Leo XIV’s expected visit to Uruguay in November.

The park already carries a physical reminder of the 1988 papal visit. Organizers had built a large thatched and wooden structure for the Mass, but an arson fire later destroyed it. A marble cross about 10 meters high was installed in its place.

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I sent a letter to Customs asking them to let it pass permanently, but there was no way. Now the image will have to return to Concordia so we can restart the procedures and have it in Salto permanently.

Bishop Arturo Fajardo said he had written to the National Customs Directorate asking for definitive authorization, but the request was unsuccessful. “I sent a letter to Customs asking them to let it pass permanently, but there was no way. Now the image will have to return to Concordia so we can restart the procedures and have it in Salto permanently,” he told El País.

Fajardo nevertheless praised the ceremony, saying it reflected the mark John Paul II left on the community. He described the display of the bust as “a very beautiful and special event” that expressed fraternity between the two communities, along with the message of peace and hope associated with the late pope.

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A very beautiful and special event