Monumento a Juan Pablo II (Monument to John Paul II), Montevideo

The Monument to John Paul II (Monumento a Juan Pablo II) in Montevideo is a significant landmark commemorating the first visit of Pope John Paul II to the country in 1987. Established through the initiative of Archbishop Nicolás Cotugno of Montevideo, the monument marks the site where the Pope celebrated his first Mass in Uruguay. It is strategically located at a bustling intersection, merely 100 meters from another prominent structure, the Obelisk.

The monument features a substantial cross, which was originally erected for the Mass on April 1, 1987. This cross was later donated to the city with the stipulation that it remain at this specific location as a permanent tribute. The decision to preserve the cross was supported by then-President Julio María Sanguinetti, who despite being a liberal and agnostic, recognized the unifying effect of the papal visit, which he said fostered a sense of "tolerance and respect" among Uruguayans.

The principal component of the monument is a bronze statue of Pope John Paul II, crafted by Polish sculptor Stanislaw Slonina in 1998. This statue was originally housed in the Sanctuary Church of the Risen Lord in the neighborhood of Tres Cruces and was relocated in 2011 to its current site in front of the monumental cross.

The Monument to John Paul II not only serves as a religious symbol but also as a cultural and historical artifact, reflecting the profound impact of Pope John Paul II's visit on Uruguayan society and the lasting legacy of intercultural and ecumenical dialogue.