Pope Leo XIV begins Argentine leg of tour after Uruguayan Mass
The pontiff concludes his Uruguayan stop in Florida before heading to Buenos Aires for a politically complex meeting with President Javier Milei.
By Daniela Ortega ·
Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by celebrating a national feast day in the city of Florida, located north of Montevideo.
The event marked the final stop of the first leg of his South American tour before he travels to Argentina. Leo became the first pope to visit Uruguay in nearly 40 years. He chose the city of Florida to honor the Virgin of the Thirty-three. Local tradition holds that 33 independence patriots carried a Guaraní statue with them when independence from the Brazilian Empire was declared on August 25, 1825.
During the homily at Florida's cathedral, Leo addressed the role of women in preserving the Catholic faith. He acknowledged the pain of mothers and grandmothers who feel their efforts to pass on traditions have faded. He told the congregation that they taught children to pray and attended Mass together, even if those children no longer do so. He urged them not to despair and to continue passing on the faith. Tens of thousands of people gathered in the main square for the Mass. The city has a population of about 40,000, but the Vatican estimated 50,000 attendees were present.
Fiama Pirez, an English professor from Montevideo, traveled to Florida specifically for the event. She said she preferred this family outing so her mother could fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing a pope. Pirez described the experience as a rediscovery of her own Catholic faith.
The second leg of the tour takes Leo to Argentina, where his visit is expected to be politically delicate. President Javier Milei is scheduled to greet the pope at the airport before a traditional welcome ceremony. The Catholic Church has sharply criticized Milei's austerity program, which has reduced social spending. Milei has staked his presidency on cutting government expenses to overhaul the economy and achieve a budget surplus. He has described social justice as an aberration and mocked complaints from families struggling to make ends meet.
Poverty in Argentina reached 32.3% of the population during the first half of 2026, affecting approximately 15 million people. Milei's government has slashed the healthcare budget by 48% in real terms since he took office in December 2023. These cuts have led to protests, including actions by students at the public university system. The administration argues the changes are necessary to reform the economy and eliminate waste. Karina Milei, the president's sister and secretary-general of the presidency, told reporters that the papal visit is purely religious and not aligned with any political camp.
Tensions have also emerged over technology. Leo has warned that the race for artificial intelligence poses threats to humanity and the environment. He has called for strict international safeguards on its development. Milei's government has courted AI investment and data centers with promises of limited regulation. Posters in Buenos Aires this weekend read "At last, a Lion who unites," a play on the pope's name in Spanish and the lion imagery Milei uses for himself.
Argentina's state intelligence agency announced Saturday that a person was arrested over death threats against Leo ahead of his arrival. A federal court in Campana, 70 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, ordered the arrest less than 24 hours after receiving a tip. The trip also completes unfinished business from the pontificate of Pope Francis, who never returned to his home country during his 12 years in office. Leo will conclude his tour by visiting Peru, where he spent two decades as a missionary priest.
