Father Andrés “Gordo” Verde and Federico Gallardo moved Melo with a talk about faith, freedom and hope
Within the framework of the Expo Melo, the young people of Cirineos shared an inspiring meeting with the Uruguayan priest and the founder of the Espartanos de Argentina Foundation
Friday night in Melo had a different feel. At the Conventos venue, where the heart of Expo Melo 2025 beats, a deeply human and spiritual meeting was held with the presence of Father Andrés “Gordo” Verde and the Argentine Federico Gallardo, co-founder of the Espartanos Foundation, an organization that works on the social reintegration of people deprived of liberty through sports, spirituality and education.
The priest, very loved in the interior of the country, and Gallardo, an international reference in issues of accompaniment and resilience, gave an open talk with the young people of the Cirineos group, who filled the room with contagious energy, marked by faith and enthusiasm.
“It was a great joy to start Expo Melo with this talk, on a spectacular day and with so many beautiful people,” expressed Father Verde, who did not hide his emotion at the reception. “Melo always waits for us with open arms, and that makes any trip shorter and more beautiful,” He added with his usual close tone.
A MESSAGE OF ENCOUNTER AND REFLECTION
The meeting, which the priest himself defined as “half and a half—half a meeting of prayer and half a meeting of testimony and reflection,” took place in an intimate atmosphere, where the young people shared their concerns, experiences and dreams.
“Today we wanted to bring a great reference from Argentina, someone who inspires with his history and his human commitment,” said Father Andrés when introducing Federico Gallardo. “Fede is co-founder of the Espartanos Foundation, a wonderful experience that began in an Argentine prison and that today inspires similar projects, even here, in the Melo prison,” he explained.
FEDERICO GALLARDO: FROM LOCKDOWN TO INTERIOR FREEDOM
During his speech, Federico Gallardo shared anecdotes, learnings and testimonies from his experience at the head of the Foundation. “The Spartanos project was born from the conviction that no one is lost, that we all have a second chance,” story.
In a warm and reflective tone, Gallardo explained how sport – especially rugby – became a tool to transform lives behind the walls. “In prison you learn that freedom does not begin when you open a door, but when you forgive, when you trust, when you believe in yourself again,” express.
The founder also recalled the deep emotion of having shared with Pope Francis along with a group of former inmates. “The Pope took a phrase from one of our meetings and made it his own: Do not remain fallen. That was the title of the book I wrote, and it is also the message I bring to Melo,” said Gallardo, to the attention of the young people.
CYRENEANS: YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ACCOMPANY
The Cirineos group, which has been promoting faith and social commitment activities in Cerro Largo for years, hosted the meeting. During the day, the members also participated in a visit to the Melo prison, where they shared a moment of prayer and reflection with people deprived of their liberty.
“We always say that where there is pain, there is also the possibility of redemption. It is not about looking from above, but about walking together,” Father Verde highlighted when referring to that experience. “Fede demonstrates it with his life, with his testimony. His story speaks of hope and second chances, and young people feel that, understand it and embrace it,” held.
A MESSAGE THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS
Gallardo, who was received with great affection by the participants, was grateful for the opportunity to share his message in Uruguay. “What happens here in Melo is very special. You breathe closeness, community. The work with the Cyrenees, with Father Andrés, with the people from the prison, has incredible strength. There is a light that is contagious,” said.
Father Verde, for his part, closed the talk with words that summarized the spirit of the meeting:
“Faith is not a refuge to flee from the world, it is an impulse to transform it. Each of us can be a spark that ignites hope in others. That is why it is worth believing, serving and starting over as many times as necessary.”
The night ended with prolonged applause, songs, hugs and an atmosphere of gratitude, reflecting an audience moved by the testimonies of two references who, from different paths, share the same mission: that of humanizing, accompanying and building hope.
INSPIRATION FROM THE MELO EXPO
The presence of both leaders marked the spiritual beginning of Expo Melo 2025, adding a human and transcendent component to the traditional agricultural framework.
“Bringing a message like this to the heart of the Uruguayan countryside is remembering that there is no progress without values, nor community without empathy,” said one of the organizers at the close of the meeting.
The message of the Cyrenees, Father Verde and Federico Gallardo resonated in Melo as an invitation to look at others with compassion and not lose faith in the ability to transform reality from the simplest things: encounter, words and love.
