00:00Precisely, the Pontiff Cicero forms part of a historic tour of the region that began
00:06on Friday in the Uruguayan capital, in a country characterized by its strong secular tradition
00:11but where thousands of faithful took to the streets to welcome him.
00:16Our colleague Mateo Grille 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 according
00:32to 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 as
00:43it'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.
00:50I don't know if I'll have the chance to see him but at least I'd like to see him get
00:54off
00:54the plane and be happy here waiting for the Pope's arrival.
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
01:19Capitol 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,
01:29many 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, for the whole
01:37country because it's something good.
01:41We welcome him with great anticipation, especially because of the message the Pope may leave for
01:46us on a continent that is in such turmoil, both politically and economically.
01:52He is, moreover, someone who knows our Latin America well, so we are very pleased to welcome him.
01:58The fact that he is beginning this tour in Uruguay is also something that is very significant for us,
02:03to share in the joy of our people, above all with those Catholic believers who come to see him,
02:08and non-Catholics such as myself. I am not Catholic, but I believe it is important to pay
02:13attention to what a world leader for this calibre has to offer us.
02:20Then, in Plaza Independencia, in front of the authorities, Leon XIV delivered his first speech
02:26speech on Uruguayan soil. Looking towards the monument to Artigas, he recalled the exodus of
02:31the people of the East, 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. Over the next few days, I shall have the opportunity to visit some places in this
03:12country, to learn more about his history, and to meet the men and women who, in their very diverse ways,
03:18form part of the life of this nation. In the square, a crowd celebrated the presence of the
03:25Supreme Pontiff with flags, banners and Catholic symbols, singing and applause accompanying each of
03:30his gestures. The day came to a close at the Metropolitan Cathedral. There, among bishops,
03:36priests, and members of religious orders, the Pope presided over the recitation of Vespers. While
03:42outside, another crowd listened to his reflections. The message is that we are a pilgrim church, or pilgrim
03:54peoples on earth, and that we must learn to live together peacefully, in a friendly manner. In fact,
04:01here in our region, that is how we live. But it is also a message never to stop looking out
04:08for the
04:09most 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 Grille, Tresburg, Montevideo, Uruguay
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