Renato Martinez, Fr. Łukasz Bankowski
The Pope came out onto the balcony
The first day of Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Uruguay ended with an unexpected meeting with the faithful. After Vespers at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Montevideo, the Holy Father went to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he is staying during his visit.
Residents of the Uruguayan capital, including many young people, were waiting for him outside the building. The Pope decided to greet them. He stepped out onto the nunciature’s balcony and addressed the gathered crowd.
“I see that Uruguay is a country of young people with faith,” Leo XIV said, thanking them for the warm welcome on the first day of his visit.
“The Nuncio says he wants to sleep”
The meeting quickly took on a spontaneous character. The Holy Father thanked them for the singing and enthusiasm, and then joked:
“The Nuncio says he wants to sleep, but keep singing for as long as you want. Well, maybe not quite that long, because the neighbors will want to sleep too!”
The Pope expressed hope that he would meet the gathered crowd again in the coming days of his visit. In conclusion, he gave them his blessing and said goodbye with the words: “Goodnight!”
Just like under the window at Franciszkańska 3
This scene from Montevideo may bring back memories for Poles of meetings with John Paul II under the famous window of the Archbishop’s Palace in Krakow at 3 Franciszkańska Street.
During pilgrimages to his homeland, the Polish Pope would appear in the evening at the window of his former residence to talk with young people who gathered in front of the building. They sang, called out to him, asked questions, and he responded with humor and his characteristic directness.
These meetings, often going beyond the official pilgrimage schedule, became one of the most recognizable images of John Paul II’s pontificate.
John Paul II’s words from 2002 are particularly remembered, when, alluding to the passage of time, he told the youth: “23 years have passed since the first meeting here under this window, and I have aged 23 years.”
From Krakow to Montevideo
On Friday evening, Leo XIV did not speak from the Krakow window, but from the nunciature balcony in the capital of Uruguay. However, the similarity between the two scenes lies in their spontaneity and the Pope’s direct contact with the faithful.
“Thank you for your enthusiasm, thank you for being here,” the Holy Father said in Montevideo.
Two cities, two different pontificates, and a similar image: the Successor of St. Peter, who, after finishing official meetings, still finds time for the people waiting under his window or balcony.
