Pope Leo XIV closed his Uruguay visit with a Mass urging mothers and grandmothers to pass on Catholic faith, making family religious life the focus of his final event before Argentina.
Leo thanked mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, religious sisters and catechists for sustaining faith in families. He urged mothers and grandmothers to persevere when younger relatives stop praying or attending Mass, telling them, “Mothers and grandmothers: never tire of passing on the faith!”
Addressing fathers and grandfathers, Leo said young people need to see them pray, receive the sacraments, seek forgiveness and live with integrity. He also urged them to “treat your wives with respect.”
The Mass was held in the plaza outside Florida’s Cathedral Basilica, also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three. Vatican News reported that the Vatican estimated attendance at about 50,000.
Leo recalled that those seeking Uruguay’s freedom in 1825 entrusted their cause to Mary. Earlier in the visit, he called for health care regardless of a person’s means, continuing an appeal from his opening address on access to care.
Vatican News reported that Leo’s plane left Montevideo at 1:52 p.m. ET (3:52 p.m. local time) Sunday. The Vatican itinerary had scheduled the flight for 1:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time). His Argentina program lists a Monday visit to Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione de Claypole.