Pope Leo XIV drew immediate attention during his arrival in Uruguay on Friday, when he firmly withdrew his hand to prevent former Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera from kissing the papal ring. The awkward protocol moment unfolded on a red carpet near Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, shortly after the pontiff’s arrival to begin a regional tour that also includes Argentina and Peru.
The sequence began less than 90 minutes into the Holy Father’s visit. When the pontiff reached Luis Lacalle Herrera—representing the Partido Blanco and father of former President Luis Lacalle Pou—the former leader leaned forward to perform the traditional gesture of kissing the Ring of the Fisherman.
Despite the former president’s persistence over several seconds, the Pope stood his ground and gently resisted the historic protocol. The short sequence quickly circulated across digital networks, drawing widespread commentary.
Tradition and Protocol Shifts Under Recent Papacies
The refusal aligns with a broader shift away from traditional papal etiquette. According to established Church custom, the faithful would kneel or kiss the papal ring worn by the leader of the Catholic Church. However, both Pope Leo XIV and his predecessor, Francis, have consistently rejected the practice, actively discouraging individuals from kneeling before them or attempting to kiss the ring.
Following the reception at Plaza Independencia, Pope Leo XIV joined President Orsi on the main stage before a crowd estimated at around 30,000 people. Both leaders delivered speeches addressing key social themes.
On our way to Paysandú (Uruguay) where Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass at the Argentinan border. pic.twitter.com/m9ik3G9dwg
Argentine Journalist Contrasts Political Optics with Neighboring Country
The unusual greeting quickly resonated beyond Uruguay’s borders. Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann praised the political optics of the gathering on social media, contrasting the presence of current and former Uruguayan leaders—including Sanguinetti and both Lacalle father and son—with Argentina’s current political climate, as reported by Montevideo Portal. Feinmann noted that such a gathering would not happen in Argentina because they have a convicted person with an ankle monitor in prison, adding that Mauricio Macri would be in Uruguay and therefore would not be at the mass or the Palacio Libertad. Feinmann also remarked that Uruguay is an atheist country with many people, but expressed belief that the event in Argentina would be monumental and overflowing.
Following the ceremonies, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Cabildo de Montevideo to receive the keys to the city. The first day of his itinerary concluded with a mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral. The pontiff’s regional schedule continues as he prepares to cross the River Plate for the next leg of his journey in Argentina, where he is due to arrive on Sunday.
