Pope urges faithful to be ‘bridge builders,’ praises mate ritual during Mass in Uruguay

(8 Nov 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Paysandu, Uruguay - 07 November 2026 1. Pope Leo XIV waving to the crowd from Popemobile as he arrives to the Mass 2. Pope Leo XIV arriving to the altar for the Mass 3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church: "How important it is to be a bridge builder. That is the vocation we are all called to." 4. Various of large crowd gathered for Mass 5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pope Leo XIV: "Drinking mate is a ritual full of symbolism where dialogue occurs without words and every detail has its own meaning. I also think about the mate one drinks when alone, accompanying a moment of silent prayer. In those spaces of solitude. How many times have so many of you entrusted God with your worries, your needs, your deepest desires and longings." 6. Women enjoying Mass while seated 7. Woman holding an image of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ 8. Pope and clergy descending steps during the Pope's Mass STORYLINE: Pope Leo XIV urged an estimated 30,000 people gathered in Paysandú, Uruguay, on Saturday to build bridges of fraternity and faith during his first Mass in South America. The Pope used mate, the region’s cherished herbal tea, as a symbol of unity and shared identity, encouraging Uruguayans to pass on the Catholic faith to future generations. Despite rain and strong winds, pilgrims from Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil attended the service, part of Leo’s three-country tour that had been in doubt after he underwent lung cancer surgery on Oct. 13. Leo, who arrived in Uruguay on Friday, sought to promote the Catholic Church in South America’s most secular country, where it hopes to offer support amid social challenges. He compared the sharing of mate to building connections between people, emphasizing the importance of community and belonging. AP video by Cristian Kovadloff =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/13e05191aee84d618b5052595e6d5d20