Sebastián Sansón Ferrari, Tomasz Zielenkiewicz
The Church in Uruguay has welcomed with great joy the announcement of the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV, which will be the first leg of his visit to Latin America. For Bishop Milton Tróccoli, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Uruguay, the Holy Father’s arrival is a long-awaited grace that will encourage the Catholic community, strengthen its evangelizing mission, and convey a renewed message of hope to the entire country.
Speaking to Vatican News, the bishop said that the news was received with enthusiasm by the Church, which had long hoped for a visit.
"We truly receive this as a gift, as a blessing," he said, expressing his conviction that the Pope’s presence will be a sign of closeness and communion for all the faithful.
A Shepherd who strengthens the faithful
Bishop Tróccoli emphasized the deep pastoral significance of every papal visit. He said that Pope Leo will come to Uruguay to strengthen the Church on its path of faith, encourage it to continue proclaiming the Gospel, and confirm believers in their vocation as missionary disciples.
"He will encourage us all, help us to move further along the path of evangelization, and strengthen us in faith," he said.
At the same time, the bishop noted that this visit will extend far beyond the Church and will be good news for Uruguayan society as a whole, at a time when the country needs a message that inspires trust and hope. He expressed his hope that the Holy Father will be welcomed as a true herald of peace, reconciliation, and unity.
"He will help us look to the future and beyond, opening up a new and hopeful horizon for us," Bishop Tróccoli said.
Evangelization in a secularized society
Asked about the significance of the visit in a country deeply marked by secularization, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Uruguay expressed his belief that the encounter with the Pope will strengthen the identity and mission of the Church. He noted that since the beginning of his pontificate, Leo XIV has shown a special ability to engage in dialogue with the modern world and to foster the encounter between faith and society.
This approach, he added, will be particularly valuable in Uruguay, where the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel through dialogue, respect, and service.
Bishop Tróccoli added that the Pope’s message will help promote evangelical values as the foundation of a more humane society—one committed to defending the dignity of every person and the common good.
"I believe that the entire country, despite differences in views and sensitivities, will warmly welcome the Pope and listen to his message with interest," he said.
Following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II
Pope Leo XIV will be the second Pope to visit Uruguay, following St. John Paul II, who traveled to the country twice. For Bishop Tróccoli, there is a clear continuity between these visits, as both are an expression of the Successor of Peter’s unchanging love for the Church in Uruguay.
He recalled that the visits of St. John Paul II remain alive in the memory of many of the faithful and stated that the new papal journey will rekindle this experience of communion with the universal Church. "We are a small Church, but one that always strives to remain faithful and in communion with the Church of Rome," he said.
The Pope’s presence, he added, will be an encouragement for the Church to continue being "light, salt, and leaven" in society.
Our Lady of the Thirty-Three — the spiritual heart of the visit
Every year, the faithful from all over the country come to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three in Florida, a city located near Montevideo. The bishop expressed his joy that the Pope will be able to pray there before the historic image of Mary in a place closely linked to the national identity and history of Uruguay. He noted that the Feast of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three falls on a Sunday this year.
He emphasized that the Pope’s presence will help renew Marian devotion, honoring Mary as Mother and Intercessor, while also reminding people of Uruguay’s Christian roots and the need to continue nurturing them.
"The Pope’s presence will be a special gift for all pilgrims," he said.
Finally, Bishop Tróccoli reiterated that Pope Leo’s visit should be experienced in a spirit of faith, prayer, and openness to Christ’s message. He expressed his conviction that this visit will give a new impetus to the life of the Church and open new horizons of hope for the country.
