More than 40,000 gather as Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Uruguay

Massive crowds have turned out for the pontiff as he celebrates the first Mass of his South America tour. A nighttime prayer vigil in Montevideo is expected to draw more than 60,000 young people.

The Vatican and local authorities in western Uruguay say an estimated 40,000 people turned out on Saturday morning to participate in the first Mass of Pope Leo XIV 's 12-day, three-nation tour of South America . Leo, who underwent surgery for lung cancer on October 13 , was greeted by throngs of cheering fans as he made his way from the local airport to Paysandu's sprawling Paris London Park.

"He's the representative of Christ but he's human," said Soledad Sanchez, who told France's AFP news agency that she had traveled far to be in Paysandu. Saturday morning's Mass was dedicated to the Blessed Jacinto Vera, who was appointed Uruguay's first bishop by Pope Leo XIII in 1878.