Pope Leo XIV, concluding his visit to Uruguay, appealed to men to set an example for the youth and treat their spouses with due respect.
During an open mass in Florida, which gathered about 50,000 people, Pope Leo XIV stated: 'Dear fathers and grandfathers, young people must see how you pray, approach the sacraments, and treat your wives with respect.'
According to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), over 3,800 women became victims of gender-based violence in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. Moreover, most cases of fatal violence against women are committed by their current or former partners.
The mass in the central square of Florida marked the end of the head of the Catholic Church's trip to Uruguay. One attendee, 22-year-old Ivanna Fisichella, told the France-Presse (AFP) agency that the Pope's visit is very important for strengthening the Church's presence in the country.
At the same event, 57-year-old Evangelina Campero noted the Pope's efforts, who undertook a 12-day trip through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru despite having undergone lung cancer surgery three weeks prior.
