AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Pope Leo is wrapping up his visit to Uruguay. It was the pontiff's first stop in his 12-day tour of Latin America, and it's his first overseas trip since recovering from surgery for lung cancer just a few weeks ago. Today, Pope Leo has urged unity between the church and the state in Latin America's most secular and least religious country. For more on the pope's trip there, we go to NPR's Carrie Kahn. Good morning, Carrie.
CARRIE KAHN, BYLINE: Good morning.
RASCOE: Where are you right now, and what is the pope doing on his last day there?
KAHN: Ayesha, I'm in the small town of Florida. It's about an hour outside of the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo. It's famous as the home to the Virgin of Thirty-Three, a symbol of historic ties between the church and Uruguay's independence fighter. And it appears to be the pope's nod to a time when the church and state had a history of working together in this very secular country.
The town's beautiful cathedral houses a small wooden figure of the virgin, Uruguay's patron saint. And every November 8, pilgrims from all over come here for a big celebration. But, Ayesha, nothing like today's with the pope here. This town of about 30,000 is just bursting at the seams now with crowds, elated crowds. Here's a very happy Lillianne Legasamon (ph). She's a retired school teacher I spoke with.
LILLIANNE LEGASAMON: (Non-English language spoken).
KAHN: She says, the town is in an uproar, so much commotion. She did mention how city officials have been working hard for the pope's visit, something unheard of in the very secular Uruguay.
Overall, during his visit, the crowds have been warm here for Pope Leo. Keep in mind, though, that only about a third of Uruguayans identify as Catholic. That's the lowest level in all of Latin America.
RASCOE: Well, what has the pope said about Uruguay's strict separation laws?
KAHN: He's not shied at all from talking about secularism here and what he said is the need for religious convictions in the public sphere, as well as the private.
Yesterday, he visited a poor community hit hard by crime and drugs just a few miles outside the capital, and he urged church, civil society and the state to all work together for the common good.
In the capital's historic football stadium last night, he spoke to his largest crowd. He again made a push for more religion in public life. He said society does offer plenty of institutions that do good, but he said none are a substitute for God.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
POPE LEO XIV: (Non-English language spoken).
KAHN: "God's love is stronger than death, hatred, violence, war and sin," he said. "It's a message of joy."
RASCOE: Well, how is he holding up? He just had lung cancer surgery less than a month ago.
KAHN: His schedule has been intense. I've been having a hard time keeping up with him. Yesterday was a very long day. This morning, he was up early. People keep noting his stamina and his broad smile.
Yesterday, he also had a chance to talk about an issue very close to him at a private Catholic university. He told young students there that the caution is needed with artificial intelligence and technical advances, and this is a page right out of his inaugural encyclical. He told the crowd to remember that the person must always be the priority, not algorithms.
RASCOE: So the pope leaves today. Where is he heading next?
KAHN: He's flying to neighboring Argentina. We're definitely going to hear more warnings about AI. The far-right president there, Javier Milei, has declared the country open for business for AI, offering land for data centers and unfettered regulations.
From there, the pope heads to Peru, which has been billed as a homecoming. Leo worked there for two decades and became a Peruvian citizen.
RASCOE: That's NPR's Carrie Kahn. Thank you so much.
KAHN: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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