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Pope Leo XIV has condemned rising drug-related violence and the deaths of children in Uruguay, warning that young people are increasingly exposed to dangerous conditions in communities affected by crime.
The pontiff made the remarks on Saturday during a visit to Casavalle, a crime-hit neighbourhood in Montevideo, on the second day of his 12-day South American tour. Residents told him about gun violence, abuse and the dangers confronting families in the area.
During the visit, a young mother, Katherine Silva, recounted her experiences of violence and abuse as a child. She said she became homeless at 15, went through difficult times and nearly lost her life.
“There are children in Uruguay who do not go to school for fear of never returning home,” the pope said. He added that children in a resource-rich country should not go hungry or suffer violence that could cost them their lives.
Uruguay, often regarded as one of Latin America’s safer and wealthier countries, has experienced a rise in its murder rate in recent years. The report linked the increase partly to the country’s growing role in the cocaine trade. In Casavalle, the murder rate is reportedly four times the national average.
A 33-year-old nurse identified only as Claudia told AFP that she had witnessed a shooting in which a person was killed by gunfire outside her home. She said such incidents had become increasingly normalised, even as children were exposed to disturbing scenes.
During the visit, residents welcomed the pope, who blessed 12 new low-income houses financed by the Catholic Church. He told the community that being among them brought back memories of his nearly two decades as a missionary in South America.
Later, at a candle-lit prayer vigil at Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium, Leo urged young people to marry and start families without fear. Addressing a crowd at the 60,000-capacity venue, he said: “Young people, dare to take the step of marrying and starting a family yourselves. Don’t be afraid of ‘forever’!”
The pope also called on Catholics in Uruguay to become bridge builders during a Mass in Paysandu. At the Catholic University of Uruguay, he warned against the dehumanising use of artificial intelligence in education, urging schools and universities to put people before algorithms. His tour is scheduled to continue in Argentina before moving to Peru.
