00:00Precisely, the Pontiff's is a carol forms part of a historic tour of the region that
00:05began on Friday in the Uruguayan capital, in a country characterized by its strong secular
00:10tradition but where thousands of faithful took to the streets to welcome him.
00:16Our colleague Mateo Guille was there and has the details.
00:22Pope Leon XIV landed in Montevideo and began his first tour of South America's Pope.
00:27Some faithful went to wait for him at the airport to welcome him to a country which,
00:32according to experts, is considered the most secular on the entire continent.
00:38I've come here to see the Pope because it's a very important event for the country,
00:42as it's been so many years since the Pope last visited, and this is going to be wonderful.
00:47I'd like to be here, at least to see the plain land. I don't know if I'll have the chance
00:51to see him,
00:52but at least I'd like to see him get off the plane and be happy here, waiting for the Pope's
00:57arrival.
00:58I came here to the airport to see the Pope because, well, to start with, I am Catholic,
01:03and I believe the Pope is a very important figure for both believers and non-believers.
01:07He is a symbol of peace and, well, he can bring some wonderful things to Uruguay.
01:14From the airport, the Pope traveled to Plaza Independencia, an iconic site in the Uruguayan
01:19capital where thousands of the faithful were waiting to hear his message.
01:24The truth is that we were lucky enough to have been there when John Pope II visited many,
01:28many years ago, and now what we are hoping for is that it will be a celebration for the community,
01:33above all the Catholic community, but also for the Uruguayan people as a whole,
01:37for the whole country, because it's something good.
01:41We welcome him with great anticipation, especially because of the message the Pope may live for us,
01:47on a continent that is in such turmoil, both politically and economically. He is, moreover,
01:53someone who knows our Latin America well, so we are very pleased to him. The fact that he is beginning
01:59this tour in Uruguay is also something that is very significant for us, to share in the joy of our
02:04people, above all with those Catholic believers who come to see him, and non-Catholics, such as myself.
02:10I am not Catholic, but I believe it is important to pay attention to what a world leader for this
02:15calibre has to offer us.
02:20Then, in Plaza Independencia, in front of the authorities, Leon XIV delivered his first speech
02:26on Uruguayan soil. Looking towards the monument to Artigas, he recalled the exodus of the people of the
02:32East. And quoting the national hero, he said one of his most famous quotes,
02:36My authority extends from you, and it ceases by your sovereign presence. From that historical context,
02:42he called for work towards solidarity, social commitment, and shared effort, so that development
02:48may reach everyone. From this first meeting, I wish to extend my greetings to all Uruguayans,
02:58whatever they may be.
03:06Over the next few days, I shall have the opportunity to visit some places in this country,
03:12to learn more about his history, and to meet the men and women who,
03:16in their very diverse ways, form part of the life of this nation.
03:21In the square, a crowd celebrated the presence of the Supreme Pontiff with flags, banners and
03:27Catholic symbols, singing and applause accompanying each of his gestures. The day came to a close at
03:33the Metropolitan Cathedral. There, among bishops, priests, and members of religious orders, the Pope
03:39presided over the recitation of Vespers. While outside, another crowd listened to his reflections.
03:49The message is that we are a pilgrim church, or pilgrim peoples on earth, and that we must
03:56learn to live together peacefully, in a friendly manner. In fact, here in our region, that is how we live.
04:04But it is also a message never to stop looking out for the most vulnerable in society.
04:15The faithful waited outside Montevideo Cathedral until the Pope had left. The reunion between the
04:21head of the Catholic Church and the least Catholic country on the continent was filled with symbols
04:27and messages. On a continent in turmoil, with incidents of intolerance becoming even more frequent,
04:33the Pope's message offered hope that all is not yet lost.
04:37Mateo Gris de Tresburg, Montevideo, Uruguay
