Former professional soccer player Pablo Melo, who once played for Tiro Federal and San Martín de San Juan in Argentina, joined the security detail protecting Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff’s recent visit to Paysandú, Uruguay.
Images of the 44-year-old former defender standing near the leader of the Catholic Church circulated on social media, drawing attention to his transition from the pitch to private security.
Melo explained that his role was part of a broader support team during the event. While the Vatican’s specialized security team handled primary protection, Melo’s agency, Keeper, was contracted to help manage the perimeter of the venue, which hosted approximately 40,000 attendees. The pontiff arrived in South America aboard an aircraft specifically christened “Daniele De Rossi.”
The former player told the Uruguayan radio station El Espectador that the viral nature of the photograph was unexpected. “We were chatting for a while. I was actually guarding the stage,” Melo said. “They have very specialized security, and we were there as support.” He said the experience was more rigid than the security protocols he encounters while working for the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF).
Melo described his proximity to the Pope as an experience that carried an unexpected personal weight. “I felt something indescribable when he passed by,” he told El Espectador. He added that while he does not claim deep knowledge of religion or politics, he perceived a distinct energy during the moment.
Melo reflected that the magnitude of being near such a global figure was an opportunity he never anticipated in his career. In a separate interview with the supplement Ovación, he clarified that while he was positioned on the lateral side of the stage as the Pope ascended to lead the ceremony, he did not exchange words, greetings, or eye contact with the pontiff.
Before his current work in security, Melo built a career as a professional defender in the South American soccer circuit.
His time in the Argentine league included a stint with Tiro Federal de Rosario in 2006, where he played 14 matches during the club’s season in the Primera División, including a 5-0 loss to River Plate. In 2011, he joined San Martín de San Juan, where he made 10 appearances in the second division.
He also played for Manta FC in Ecuador and Aragua FC in Venezuela. Throughout his career, he participated in Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana matches. He earned three call-ups to the Uruguayan national team under manager Juan Ramón Carrasco, though he did not make an official appearance; he was also previously summoned for the 2004 Copa América and the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
Melo’s current work balances his background in professional sports with his duties in the private security sector. He continues to provide security coverage for events through his professional affiliations, including his ongoing work with the AUF.
