The pontiff pointed to the ritual of the bitter herbal tea that Uruguayans and their neighbors carry everywhere, as a poignant symbol of unity and encounter that he suggested should be applied to spreading the faith.

Even with a portion of his lung removed less than four weeks ago, Pope Leo XIV began his 12-day, three-nation tour of South America stating that he never thought the longest trip of his pontificate was truly in jeopardy.

"La grieta" or the crack, splits Argentina politically into Peronist and non-Peronist camps. It's surfaced as local media obsess over which politicians were invited from Leo's upcoming visit to the president's office.