Prayer Vigil at the Centenary Stadium

At approximately 19.20 (23.20 in Rome), the Holy Father arrived by open car at the Centenary Stadium for the Prayer Vigil, in the presence – according to the local authorities – of over seventy thousand people in the Stadium and a further thirty thousand who followed along in the surrounding areas.

At the end of his tour by Popemobile among the faithful, accompanied by the Archbishop of Montevideo, His Eminence Cardinal Daniel Fernando Sturla Behouet, the Pope took to the stage.

After the anthem of the visit and the introduction from the moderator of the meeting, the Cardinal Archbishop of Montevideo delivered some words of welcome. Those present then enjoyed a brief artistic and musical interlude.

The Holy Father subsequently heard the testimonies of a young catechist, a recently-baptized young man, and a Catholic family.

At the end of this segment, after the introduction to the moment of prayer and the Reading of the Gospel, the Pope delivered his address.

The meeting concluded with the Prayer of the Faithful, the Lord’s Prayer, the blessing, the presentation of gifts and a final hymn.

At around 20.30, Pope Leo XIV transferred by car to the Apostolic Nunciature.