During his visit to Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV called on men to treat their wives with respect, to ask for forgiveness when needed, and to be role models for younger generations. His appeal came during a ceremonial mass held in the city of Florida, attended by tens of thousands of faithful. The message carries particular importance in a region long plagued by violence against women.
Pope Highlights the Responsibility of Fathers and Grandfathers
On Sunday, 8 November, Leo XIV addressed the congregation during an open-air mass in Florida, Uruguay. He urged men to be positive examples for their children and grandchildren.
“Dear fathers and grandfathers, young people need to see you praying, receiving the sacraments, and treating your wives with respect,” the Pope said.
He also emphasized the need for humility, the ability to admit one’s mistakes, and to ask for forgiveness. According to him, men should live honorably and do what is right, even when it means making personal sacrifices.
His appeal went beyond a general call for decency. Pope Leo XIV linked family life, faith, and personal responsibility with the kind of example adults pass on to the younger generation.
Latin America Faces a Serious Problem of Violence Against Women
The Pope’s message came in a region where violence against women remains a long-standing social problem.
According to data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 3,800 women in the region lost their lives to gender-based violence in 2024. Nearly 20,000 femicides were recorded in the last five years.
Most of these crimes, according to available data, were committed by current or former partners of the victims.
In this context, the Pope’s appeal took on a broader social significance. He stressed that respect in relationships should not remain a mere declaration of value, but must be reflected in daily behavior, communication, and how conflicts are resolved.
Mass in Florida Draws Around 50,000 Faithful
The ceremonial mass took place in the main square of the city of Florida, which lies about 100 kilometers from the Uruguayan capital Montevideo. According to available information, approximately 50,000 people attended.
This service marked the end of the Pope’s visit to Uruguay. The mass was held by the basilica connected to the National Shrine of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, an important site in Uruguay’s history.
For local faithful, the visit of the head of the Catholic Church was a major event. Some attendees highlighted the strengthened presence of the Church in the country and the Pope’s effort to undertake a demanding journey despite recent health challenges.
Pope Heads Next to Argentina and Peru
The visit to Uruguay forms part of Pope Leo XIV’s twelve-day tour across South America. After wrapping up his program in Uruguay, he will continue on to Argentina and then to Peru.
In Argentina, he is scheduled to meet with President Javier Milei. The President’s economic policy and austerity measures have drawn criticism from Catholic Church leaders, primarily due to their impact on the most socially vulnerable groups.
Peru holds particular significance for the current Pope, as he spent nearly two decades in the country as a missionary and later as a bishop.
Thus, his South American journey is more than a diplomatic visit. Leo XIV returns to a region with which he has longstanding ties, and throughout his appearances he emphasizes themes of family, social responsibility, solidarity, and human dignity.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
