Pope Leo continued the second day of his visit to Uruguay with a Mass held in Paysandú, where, according to reports, more than 40,000 faithful took part. At the heart of the homily was a direct call for unity and for strengthening ties among people.
Mass in one of the country’s most populous cities
The ceremony took place in Paysandú, considered one of Uruguay’s most populous cities. The large turnout of faithful made the Mass the main event of the second day of the Pope’s visit to the country.
The figure of more than 40,000 participants places the event among the largest religious gatherings of this visit, at least according to the data made public.
The Pope’s message: bridges between people, not only symbolic ones
During the homily, Pope Leo used the symbolism of the bridge linking the city with Argentina to speak about the need for communication and closeness among people.
“Be bridge builders,” was his call to the faithful, placing the emphasis on creating bonds and on understanding at a time marked by divisions and difficulties.
A call for lasting ties and strong foundations
The Pope underlined that the bridges built between people must have strong foundations so that they do not collapse in the face of challenges.
This was one of the central messages of his address, in which unity was presented not as a symbolic gesture, but as a commitment that requires stability and responsibility.
Focus on family, young people and charity
In his address, Pope Leo called on the faithful to guide children and young people toward the faith, to stand by families and to support the elderly.
He also asked that the faith be passed on to future generations “with creative courage,” linking this message to the need for concrete works of charity and closeness to the most vulnerable.
The visit to Uruguay has been accompanied by messages emphasizing social unity, the family and the role of the religious community in public life.
In Paysandú, these messages were articulated before a large crowd of faithful, with the image of the bridge placed at the center of the Pope’s homily.