# Pope Leo XIV Rejects Ring-Kissing Gesture During Uruguay Visit Former President Luis Lacalle Herrera faced an awkward moment during the official papal greeting. - **Source:** [Clarín](https://www.clarin.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c2a3a3bf-ea64-4f19-8c47-95b62d5aa8bc ## Unexpected Papal Encounter During his official visit to Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV engaged in a series of greetings with political figures near Plaza Independencia. The event, broadcast live, captured a notable interaction between the Pontiff and former President Luis Lacalle Herrera. The scene quickly gained significant traction across various digital social media platforms. ## The Ring-Kissing Attempt As Lacalle Herrera approached the Pope, he attempted to perform the traditional besamanos, a gesture involving kissing the Fisherman's Ring. The former president leaned forward to offer this sign of respect, but the Pope immediately resisted the action. This created a brief, visible moment of tension during the formal reception. ## Firm Papal Protocol Pope Leo XIV firmly avoided the gesture, even after the former president persisted for several seconds. Eventually, the two men settled for a standard handshake while maintaining direct eye contact. The Pope’s reaction aligns with his known preference for formal, egalitarian greetings rather than traditional displays of religious submissive homage. ## Historical Context of Gestures While kissing the papal ring was once a standard practice within the Catholic Church, modern Popes often discourage it. Both Pope Francis and Leo XIV have expressed discomfort with followers kneeling or kissing their rings. They prioritize a more direct, human connection through simple handshakes during their official state visits. ## Broader Diplomatic Context The event occurred less than ninety minutes after the Pope arrived in Uruguay, accompanied by President Yamandú Orsi. The delegation included several former presidents, reflecting the high-level diplomatic nature of the visit. The interaction served as a stark contrast to the formal speeches delivered by the Pope and President Orsi later. ## Viral Social Media Reaction The footage of the interaction spread rapidly online, generating thousands of comments and user interactions. Viewers focused heavily on the awkwardness of the encounter and the Pope’s firm refusal. Such viral moments often overshadow the official proceedings, highlighting the public's intense interest in the personal dynamics of global religious leaders. ## Additional Viral Moments The papal visit also featured other notable incidents involving the Uruguayan political elite. Former President Luis Lacalle Pou, son of the man involved in the ring-kissing attempt, was filmed making unusual head movements to fix his hair during the speeches. These clips also circulated widely, adding to the event's online visibility. ## Concluding the Official Visit Following the initial greetings and public speeches, the Pope proceeded to celebrate vespers and preside over a homily at the Montevideo Cathedral. These events marked the core of his religious mission in the country. The visit continues to be a focal point for both local political observers and the public. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.clarin.com/mundo/incomodo-momento-expresidente-uruguay-papa-leon-xiv-intento-besarle-anillo-santa-padre-saco-mano_0_HV7YPSMovy.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._