Pope Leo in South America

In 1st FIFA World Cup stadium, Pope Leo tells 70,000 Uruguayans life in Christ is the ultimate goal

The stadium built for the first-ever FIFA World Cup in Uruguay was filled with cheers on Saturday night, not for a soccer match, but for Pope Leo XIV, who told the 70,000 people inside that becoming a saint is the ultimate goal.

Courtney Mares · November 8, 2026

The stadium built for the first-ever FIFA World Cup in Uruguay was filled with cheers on Saturday night, not for a soccer match, but for Pope Leo XIV, who told the 70,000 people inside that becoming a saint is the ultimate goal.

Pope makes call for evangelization in secular Uruguay

David Agren · November 7, 2026

Pope Leo XIV recalled Uruguay's first bishop who "bore faithful witness to the faith" and renewed evangelization in the South American country, where Catholics today are a minority and almost half the population professes no faith at all.

Pope Leo challenges secular Uruguay on abortion, euthanasia and suicide

Ines San Martin · November 6, 2026

Pope Leo XIV landed Nov. 6 in Uruguay, Latin America's most secular country, and used his first address to challenge the nation's political leadership on abortion, euthanasia and a suicide rate that remains among the highest in the Americas.

Pope Leo's visit to Argentine disability home carries pastoral—and political—weight

Inés San Martín · November 5, 2026

When Pope Leo XIV enters the Don Orione "Little Cottolengo" on the outskirts of Buenos Aires Nov. 9, he will visit a place whose modest name bears little resemblance to its scale.