Leo XIV asked that Uruguay promote dialogue and agreements in the region

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay this Friday and, in his first meeting with the authorities, called on the country to continue promoting dialogue, cooperation and the search for peaceful agreements between the nations of Latin America.

In a speech given in the Plaza de la Independencia in Montevideo, he highlighted the role that the country can play as the headquarters of Mercosur and called for persevering in respect for international law.

“In times when differences can easily become a reason for confrontation, persevering in respect for the law, in negotiation and in the patient search for agreements constitutes a service that Uruguay can continue to offer to its neighbors,” said the Pontiff.

The intervention took place after the welcoming words of the Uruguayan president, Yamandú Orsi, who received the Pope and highlighted the agreement between the two in the defense of human rights, the dignity of people and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Orsi maintained that scenarios of violence and wars do not appear spontaneously, but are also fueled by misinformation and fears. Faced with this scenario, he stated that politics and governments have the responsibility of promoting other forms of connection, based on dialogue and consensus.

Leo XIV returned to that idea and recalled that the Uruguayan Constitution itself establishes that international controversies must be resolved through peaceful mechanisms, in addition to promoting the social and economic integration of Latin American States. In that sense, he considered that the presence of the Mercosur Secretariat in Montevideo gives concrete expression to this regional vocation.

Health, work and human dignity

During his message, the Pope also addressed social and economic issues. He argued that guaranteeing access to health care constitutes a responsibility and stressed that investment is necessary for the development of a country, although its benefits must reach the entire population.

“Work is a function of man and not man a function of work,” he stated, placing the dignity of people at the center of his reflection.

In another part of his speech, he referred to the advance of artificial intelligence and its relationship with the world of work. The proposal was linked to the need for technological changes and economic transformations not to displace human beings from decisions or the benefits of progress.

He also defended freedom of conscience and noted that “no one should be forced to act against his conscience, both in private and in public.”

A message of closeness to the Uruguayan people

When explaining the meaning of his visit, Leo XIV stated that he arrived with the purpose of meeting the inhabitants of the country and approaching them with affection. In addition, he valued the cultural diversity that characterizes Uruguay and pointed out that coexistence between people of different origins is part of its history.

“This plurality is expressed in the coexistence of citizens,” he indicated, highlighting the importance of building a society in which differences can coexist.

The Pontiff also sent a greeting to Uruguayans living inside and outside the country and placed the people he will meet during his tour under the protection of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, patron saint of Uruguay.

“May God bless Uruguay and may the Most Holy Mary continue to accompany it throughout its history,” he expressed at the end.

The visit to Uruguay is part of Leo XIV’s apostolic tour of South America, which also includes stops in Argentina and Peru. The Argentine stage will have a particular meaning for the Pontiff, who anticipated that his time in the country will also be a tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis.