Pope Leo XIV called for the protection of life during his first day in Uruguay, where abortion and euthanasia are legal. (Foto: Instagram)
Pope Leo XIV criticized abortion and euthanasia on the first day of his visit to Uruguay, where both practices are legal. He defended the protection of life, including “life that is still developing in the womb.” Uruguay has regulated voluntary abortion since 2012. Referring to euthanasia, which was recently legalized, Leo said no one should feel cut off from their community or believe that their absence matters more than their presence.
The South American trip began in Uruguay, described as the region’s most secular country; about one in 10 Uruguayans is Catholic. President Yamandú Orsi welcomed the pope at a ceremony attended by Lucía Topolansky, the widow of José “Pepe” Mujica, and former presidents Luis Lacalle Herrera, Luis Lacalle Pou, and Julio María Sanguinetti. Leo’s itinerary also includes Argentina and Peru.
Leo spoke about environmental protection and the responsibility to preserve resources for future generations. He recalled that his predecessor, Pope Francis, had emphasized that the common good extends beyond the present generation. That responsibility, Leo said, should shape decisions about the use of natural resources and energy sources.
The pope also pointed to agreements as a way to address disagreements and cited Mercosur as an example. Uruguay belongs to the trade bloc alongside Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Leo said that the coexistence of people from different backgrounds and traditions is also part of Uruguay’s history.
In a social media message, Leo greeted Uruguayans and said he looked forward to visiting places, learning about the country’s history, and meeting people from different walks of life. He also placed those he would encounter under the protection of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, Uruguay’s patron saint. During the day, he traveled through Montevideo in the popemobile and delivered a homily at the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral. He exchanged gifts with Orsi: the pope gave the president prints of St. Peter’s Square and a medal, while Orsi presented him with a saddle and saddle blanket made by Uruguayan artisans. Reuters reported that Leo also received the keys to Montevideo.
