Pope calls on barrio parish to follow examples of Virgin Mary, Good Samaritan

November 09, 2026

Pope Leo XIV visited a barrio of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, and called on a parish there to follow the examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Good Samaritan.

The Pontiff’s late afternoon visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Casavalle (video) on November 7 followed a morning Mass in Paysandú, a city 230 miles away. After returning to Montevideo, Pope Leo met privately with Augustinian confrères at the apostolic nunciature; on his way to the Casavalle parish, the Pope visited a rest home for elderly priests, greeted residents individually, and prayed the Our Father with them.

“Mary teaches us to do whatever her Son Jesus tells us (cf. Jn 2:5), and that is also the mission of parishes: to be a lighthouse that points to the presence of Jesus Christ, offering to all the light of God’s Word, the help of the sacraments, the support of prayer and the balm of fraternal charity,” Pope Leo said at the Casavalle parish.

After recalling the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Pope said that “this story is repeated today in the widespread insecurity and violence that unfortunately threaten the peace of our neighborhoods and even the lives of our loved ones, and all too often society responds with indifference.” He added:

We need to continue to commit ourselves to the charity and closeness of the Good Samaritan who did not remain indifferent upon seeing misfortune, but took responsibility for his brother’s life. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there are children in Uruguay who do not go to school for fear of never returning home. We cannot silence our conscience when we see a mother lacking the means to feed her children.

We cannot ignore the many people around us who are suffering, alone and vulnerable ... In a country as rich in resources as this, children should never have to go to bed hungry or be denied the chance of a decent education and a dignified future because of the insecurity that reigns in the streets. Much less should they have to suffer violence to the point of losing their lives.

We must work together: the Church, civil society, and the State. We need to shake off our apathy and advocate for the common good.

“Dear friends, the parable of the Good Samaritan concludes with Jesus’ command: ‘Go and do likewise’“ (Lk 10:37), Pope Leo concluded. “Every Christian should hear this commandment echoing in their heart every day. May these words renew us and inspire us to continue building a new city together, where love and peace reign. May God bless you, and may our Mother of Guadalupe—for whom I have a special affection and veneration, as I received my episcopal ordination on her feast day—shelter you under her heavenly mantle. Thank you.”

The Pontiff also addressed impromptu remarks to families at the parish.

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic journey to Uruguay: Meeting with the social community of Casavalle at the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/7/26)
• Meeting with the social community of Casavalle at the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Holy See Press Office, 11/7/26)
• Pope in Uruguay: 'We cannot turn a blind eye in the face of injustice' (Vatican News, 11/7/26)