# Uruguay's bishops prepare for Pope Leo's historic visit

> Church leaders from the most secularized country in Latin America share their hopes ahead of the papal journey in November.
- Title: Uruguay's bishops prepare for Pope Leo's historic visit
- Summary: Church leaders from the most secularized country in Latin America share their hopes ahead of the papal journey in November. Uruguay's bishops are focusing on…
- Keywords: uruguay, pope leo xiv, uruguayan bishops, ad limina visit, rome, apostolic journey, bishop alfonso bauer, bishop arturo fajardo, evangelization, secularization, our lady of the thirty-three, latin america
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-09/uruguay-bishops-ad-limina-visit-rome-pope-leo-xiv.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-17T10:24:23.756+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: uruguay, pope leo xiv, uruguayan bishops, ad limina visit, rome, apostolic journey, bishop alfonso bauer, bishop arturo fajardo, evangelization, secularization, our lady of the thirty-three, latin america
## Bishops visit Rome before papal trip
Uruguay's bishops are in Rome for their ad limina visit, meeting with Vatican offices ahead of Pope Leo XIV's November 6-8 journey to their country.
## Evangelizing a secularized society
Bishop Alfonso Bauer says the main concern is how to evangelize and proclaim Christ in different situations across Uruguay.

> How can we evangelize and proclaim Christ in the different situations we encounter?
## Latin America's most secular nation
Bishop Arturo Fajardo calls Uruguay the most secularized country in Latin America, describing it as a small experimental laboratory for the Church.
## Three key challenges identified
The bishops point to evangelization, increasing vocations, and giving new impetus to their work as the principal challenges facing the Church.
## Listening comes first
Bishop Bauer, newly appointed to Florida, says listening to the Lord and to people is the key aspect of his episcopal ministry.

> Listening is the first element to be taken into account.
## No ready-made formulas
Meetings with Vatican institutions provide insights and guidance, but not ready-made formulas for each local Church's concrete circumstances.
## Questions about life's meaning
Bishop Fajardo believes the decline of ideologies and questions about existence can open new possibilities for evangelization in Uruguay.

> I believe that the question of the meaning of life is one of the great challenges.
## Popular piety still matters
Marian devotions and expressions of faith found across Uruguay should be valued, promoted, and accompanied by formation, says Bishop Fajardo.
## Spiritual preparation underway
The Diocese of Salto is preparing both logistically and spiritually for the Pope's visit, focusing on being confirmed in the faith.
## Our Lady brings the Pope
Bishop Bauer says Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, Uruguay's patroness, is bringing Pope Leo XIV to the country in November.

> Our Lady of the Thirty-Three is bringing the Pope here.
## Mary leads to new liberation
The devotion once linked to past liberation struggles now concerns freedom, life's meaning, work, and human dignity, says Bishop Bauer.

> Mary is present in these realities, accompanies us and always leads us to Jesus.
## From Rome back to mission
After celebrating Mass at Rome's major basilicas, the bishops will return to Uruguay to renew Christian commitment and prepare hearts for the papal visit.
## Key takeaway

Uruguay's bishops are focusing on listening and evangelization as they prepare for Pope Leo XIV's November visit to one of Latin America's most secularized nations.