Pope Leo XIV has condemned rising drug-related violence in Uruguay, expressing concern over the growing number of children exposed to crime and insecurity while calling on young people to embrace marriage and family life.

The pontiff made the remarks on Saturday during a visit to Casavalle, a violence-hit neighbourhood in the capital, Montevideo, as part of his 12-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

During his visit, Leo listened to accounts from residents who described the dangers of living in communities affected by gun violence, abuse and criminal activities.

He expressed dismay that children in some parts of the country were afraid to attend school because of the possibility of not returning home safely.

The Pope said it was unacceptable for children in a resource-rich country like Uruguay to experience hunger and violence, particularly to the extent of losing their lives.

Uruguay, traditionally regarded as one of Latin America’s safest and wealthiest countries, has experienced a rise in killings in recent years, partly linked to its growing involvement in the cocaine trade.

The visit also included the blessing of 12 affordable homes funded by the Catholic Church.

Addressing thousands of worshippers later at a candlelight vigil in Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium, Leo encouraged young people to overcome their fears about marriage and raising families.

He urged them to commit to lasting relationships, warning that declining birth rates across Latin America could further affect the region’s Catholic population.

Fertility rates in the region have dropped from almost six children per woman in the 1950s to 1.8 in 2024.

At another engagement in the northwestern city of Paysandu, the Pope encouraged Catholics to promote unity and build bridges across society.

He also acknowledged Uruguay’s cultural tradition of drinking mate, a herbal beverage commonly shared among residents, joking that the drink had become popular even in Rome.

During an address at the Catholic University of Uruguay, Leo also warned against the risks of artificial intelligence undermining human dignity, particularly in education.

He called on educational institutions to prioritise human development over technological systems and algorithms.

The 71-year-old pontiff’s South American tour comes three weeks after he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his lung.

Despite earlier uncertainty surrounding the trip because of his diagnosis, he told journalists aboard his flight to Montevideo that he was in fairly good health.

Leo is expected to travel to Argentina on Sunday before continuing to Peru, where he previously served as a bishop.