Pope Leo XIV called on young people in Uruguay to embrace marriage and family life during a massive prayer vigil at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario on Saturday, November 7, 2026, addressing an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 attendees on the second day of his South American tour.
"Dare to take the step of getting married and forming a family. Do not fear 'forever'!" the pontiff declared, encouraging young people to open their homes to life even when society suggests children are a burden.
The papal address reflected concerns about secularization and religious indifference spreading across the region. In Uruguay, approximately 36 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, while 29 percent considers itself agnostic or atheist. Pope Leo XIV lamented that "in many places, faith has ceased to be transmitted with the naturalness of previous generations, and the number of those who spend much of their lives without a regular relationship with the Church or religious practice continues to grow."
During the vigil, the pontiff heard testimonies from two young people and a family before offering his reflection on the challenges facing faith transmission in contemporary society. He urged young people not to ignore vocational calls to priesthood or consecrated religious life out of fear of missing other opportunities.
"Open your homes to life, even when the world tells you that a child is a burden," Pope Leo XIV said. "If anyone feels that Christ calls them to leave everything to follow him in priesthood or in consecrated life, do not ignore that voice for fear of losing other possibilities."
The vigil represented a significant moment in the pope's ongoing South American visit, as he addressed the spiritual concerns of a younger generation navigating a increasingly secular landscape. His message emphasized the importance of long-term commitments and family formation as countercultural choices in modern society.
The address comes as Pope Leo XIV continues his scheduled tour of South America, with Argentina among the countries on his itinerary.