Farewell Ceremony from Uruguay, Departure from Montevideo

Telegram to the President of Uruguay

Official welcome at Buenos Aires International Airport and visit to the Monument to General San Martín and the Armies of Independence in Plaza San Martín

Farewell Ceremony from Uruguay, Departure from Montevideo

After leaving the Jesús Buen Pastor rest home in Florida, the Holy Father transferred by car to the Base Aérea General Cesáreo L. Berisso, where, at approximately 15.10 (19.10 in Rome) the farewell ceremony from Uruguay took place.

Upon arrival at the air base, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Yamandú Orsi.

After greeting the Uruguayan delegation, the Holy Father headed by car to the commercial area of Montevideo-Carrasco Airport, where he took leave of the Head of State, and boarded an Aerolíneas Argentinas Boeing 737-MAX, which departed at 15.52, bound for Buenos Aires.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Buenos Aires “Aeroparque Jorge Newbery” at 16.33.

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Uruguay

As he left Uruguayan territory, the Holy Father sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Uruguay, His Excellency Mr. Yamandú Orsi:

Telegram

His Excellency Mr. Yamandú Orsi

President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Montevideo

At the conclusion of my Apostolic Journey to your country, I wish to express my renewed gratitude to Your Excellency, the Authorities and the people of Uruguay for the warm reception and gracious hospitality afforded me during this visit. With the assurance of my continued prayers for the wellbeing of all, I willingly invoke upon the Uruguayan people an abundance of Almighty God’s blessings.

Leo PP. XIV

Official welcome at Buenos Aires International Airport and visit to the Monument to General San Martín and the Armies of Independence in Plaza San Martín

Upon arrival in the military area of Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Javier Milei, at the foot of the aircraft steps.

Subsequently, following the military honours, the national anthems, the presentation of flowers by two children and the introduction of the delegations, the Pope proceeded inside the military pavilion for a brief private meeting with the President.

At the end, the President took leave of the Pontiff, who transferred by car to Plaza San Martín for the visit at 17.00 to the Monument to General San Martín and the Armies of Independence.

Upon arrival at Plaza San Martín, the Pope was welcomed by the Chancellor and, accompanied by the latter greeted the General, viewed the military band and proceeded to the left towards the monument, passing in front of the guard of honour and the Argentine and Vatican delegations.

Upon reaching the first steps of the monument, the Holy Father stopped together with the Chancellor to listen to the national anthems of the respective countries being played. At the end, while the Chancellor remained on the second step, a soldier stepped forward with a wreath and laid it at the foot of the monument.

The Pope then approached the monument to pay his respects and observe a brief moment of silent reflection. Subsequently, at the foot of the steps, the official photograph of the Holy Father with the Chancellor was taken.

At the end of the ceremony, the Pontiff entered the car, which left for the Presidential Palace, accompanied by the escort on horseback.