Pope in Uruguay: 'We are called to return again and again to the Lord'

At Vespers in Montevideo, Pope Leo XIV invites Uruguay's Bishops, clergy, and religious to return constantly to Jesus Christ, launching an appeal for … "Faithfulness to our vocation calls us to return again and again to Jesus Christ; to let Him be our treasure, the one whom we wish to resemble." Pope Leo XIV expressed this hope during Vespers with Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Saints Philip and James in Uruguay's capital of Montevideo. The event marked one of the first appointments of his 12-day Apostolic Journey to Latin America. The Pope recalled that several young people present have already begun their journey in the seminary and in consecrated life.

"What a joy it is to know that generous responses to Christ’s love continue to come forth!" he said, encouraging them to persevere. "See in these fruits the proof that God hears the prayers of His people." The Pope expressed his hope that this experience in Uruguay will echo throughout the entire Church. From the Cathedral in Montevideo, the Pope invited his brother Bishops throughout the world "to promote days of prayer and fasting in their dioceses for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated life." He asked that parishes, families and religious communities join