Pope Leo celebrates first Mass of South America tour in Uruguay: "Build bridges"

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated the first Mass of his three-nation South American tour at the Paris London park in Paysandú, in western Uruguay. He called on the faithful to be "builders of bridges" and to share the joy of hope.

More than 30,000 people had registered to attend, coming not only from Uruguay but also from Argentina and Brazil; the Vatican said a further 10,000 arrived on their own. The Mass was particularly notable because the 71-year-old Pope underwent surgery for lung cancer last month, which had placed the trip in doubt. The tour continues to Argentina and Peru.