Ex-president tries to kiss Pope Leo XIV's hand and is refused

Former Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera tried to kiss Pope Leo XIV's hand during the official reception of the pontiff in Montevideo on Friday (6/11). The gesture, a traditional sign of respect for Catholic authority, was rejected by the pope, who withdrew his hand. The moment was recorded on video and shared on social networks.

Leo XIV arrived in Uruguay for a trip to South America, which will still pass through Argentina and Peru. In addition to Lacalle Herrera, who presided over the country between 1990 and 1995, President Yamandú Orsi, the widow of José “Pepe” Mujica, Lucía Topolansky, and former Presidents Luis Lacalle Pou and Julio María Sanguinetti attended the reception.

Tradition of the kiss on the papal ring

Traditionally, kissing the pope’s ring is a sign of respect and humble submission to Catholic authority. The fisherman's ring is one of the main symbols of papal authority. The gesture dates back to centuries of history and is practiced by faithful and authorities in meetings with the pontiff.

However, the practice has been revised in recent years. Pope Francis, Leo XIV’s predecessor, had already refused the kiss on several occasions, withdrawing his hand to prevent the faithful from kissing him. The act of Francis was interpreted as an attempt to show a church closer to the faithful and more humble.

Tweet by @leosarro

Video: @leosarro via X/Twitter

Reaction on social networks

The video of Lacalle Herrera trying to kiss the pope’s hand and being refused has circulated widely on social media. The original publication was made by the former president himself, who wrote: “El ex presidente Lacalle Herrera al recibir al Papa León XIV https://t.co/6SNK1iuqi3”. The source did not detail whether there was any subsequent reaction from the politician or the Vatican.

The scene generated comments from netizens, who shared opinions about the pope’s attitude. Some praised the posture of Leo XIV, aligned with that of Francis, while others considered the gesture a breach of protocol. The source did not detail the exact content of the discussions.

Context of the papal visit

The visit of Leo XIV to Uruguay marks the beginning of his journey through South America. After the country, the pontiff will go to Argentina and Peru. The official agenda was not detailed by the source, but the reception was attended by prominent political figures, including the current president and three former presidents.

The presence of Lucía Topolansky, widow of José “Pepe” Mujica, also attracted attention. Mujica, a former Uruguayan president, is known for his critical stance toward the Catholic Church at times. The source did not detail whether there was a private meeting between Topolansky and the pope.

What to expect from the trip

Leo XIV’s journey through South America comes at a time of global attention to the Catholic Church. The refusal of the kiss on the hand can be seen as a continuation of the posture of Francis, who sought to simplify protocols and bring the papal figure closer to the common faithful.

Experts heard by the source did not comment on the impact of the gesture. The source did not detail whether the pope would make public statements about the episode. The trip is expected to include meetings with political and religious leaders in the three countries.

The Boca no Trombone Portal will continue to follow the papal visit and bring updates on developments in South America.

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