Pope Leo's visit to Argentina has drawn massive crowds, with 1.5 million people attending an outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires. The event, held on Monday, marked a significant moment in his 18-month papacy and the first papal trip to Argentina in nearly four decades. The crowds stretched for miles down the Avenida del Libertador, waving the white-and-yellow Vatican flag and pressing against security barriers for a glimpse of the pontiff.
The pope's visit to Argentina comes at a time when the Catholic Church is facing challenges in the region. Despite being a stronghold for the Church, Argentina has seen a decline in Catholicism in recent years, with many people turning to fast-growing evangelical denominations. In his sermon, Pope Leo expressed his joy at seeing Catholics in the region and emphasized the importance of faith. He said that his visit had allowed him to see the enthusiasm of their faith on their faces.
Pope Leo, 71, is on an ambitious 50-event, three-country tour less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. The tour, which includes visits to Uruguay and Peru, is being seen as a "homecoming" for the pope, who spent decades as a missionary in Peru. The Vatican has described the tour as one of the most demanding foreign tours by a pope in decades. Despite his health concerns, the pope has emerged as a forceful voice on the world stage, lamenting what he sees as a failure of global leadership.
During his visit to Argentina, Pope Leo has urged South American nations to set an example of regional co-operation and patient diplomacy instead of conflict. On Sunday, he addressed Argentine President Javier Milei, a far-right libertarian seen as a close ally of US President Donald Trump. The pope urged Milei to be careful with his words and to know the limits of his power, particularly when it comes to targeting the country's poorest citizens.
Pope Leo also visited a care centre for people with disabilities on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires, where thousands had gathered in hope of seeing him. The visit carried added significance because Milei's spending cuts have reduced disability benefits while poverty remains widespread. The pope emphasized the importance of welcoming people with disabilities and particular needs, saying that a nation's progress is also measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
The pope's visit to Argentina has been seen as a significant moment for the country, which has faced economic challenges in recent years. The pope lamented the difficulties faced by Argentine families, including instability, social hardship, and precarious employment. He also emphasized the importance of family relationships and the need to protect young people from addictions and other threats.
The largest event yet in Pope Leo's papacy came in June, when some 1.2 million turned out in Madrid during the pontiff's visit to Spain. The pope's visit to Argentina has been seen as a major success, with many people expressing their joy and enthusiasm for his message. As the pope prepares to leave Argentina and head to Peru, he has left a lasting impression on the country and its people.
Key points
- The pope's visit to Argentina drew 1.5 million people to an outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires.
- Pope Leo urged Argentine President Javier Milei to be careful with his words and to know the limits of his power.
- The pope emphasized the importance of welcoming people with disabilities and particular needs.
Reporting sources
- The Sowetan · The Sowetan
