Pope's first hours in Uruguay: a massive Mass with a call to formation and to root ourselves in Christ

– Supernatural Pope's first Mass In Latin America, it has had a key protagonist: “Blessed Jacinto Vera, Bishop of Montevideo, who was a consistent witness to the faith he proclaimed, generous in charity and totally dedicated to the apostolic mission.”. 

The first Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pope Leo XIV on American soil has been marked by the emotion and joy of those in attendance. 

The Pope cited Blessed Jacinto Vera, former Bishop of Montevideo, as an example, encouraging everyone to “continue the legacy left to us by these sowers of the Gospel, and we must do so keeping in mind what the Word of God tells us: with justice, honesty, and fidelity, aware that the message we proclaim does not belong to us. It is a treasure we have received from the Lord.”. 

Bridges, palm groves and mates 

The Pope used three images to illustrate the key aspects of the life of faith in an openly secular country like Uruguay. The first was the image of a bridge that fosters “openness, communication, and exchange.” A bridge with a firm foundation: formation. “We need to be well prepared to give reasons for our faith to everyone who asks us (cf. 1 P 3.15) and not to be led astray «by any kind of strange doctrines.». 

“Another symbol that characterizes and beautifies this land is the palm groves”, the Pope continued, referring to “the destiny to which we are called: to take root in Christ.”. 

Finally, the Pope offered one last image: mate. “Mate is a sign of familiarity, friendship, and encounter. An encounter that we can apply to personal prayer: “Drinking mate‘ is a ritual full of symbolism, where dialogue takes place without words and every detail has its own meaning. I also think of the mate one drinks when alone, accompanying a moment of silence and prayer. In those moments of solitude, how often have so many of you confided your worries and needs, your deepest desires and longings, to God.’.