Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján in Buenos Aires on Nov. 11, concluding his four-day visit to Argentina. (Foto: Instagram)
Pope Leo XIV drew more than 2 million people to the plaza outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján in Buenos Aires on the morning of Nov. 11. The Mass was the final event of his four-day visit to Argentina, which included tributes to Pope Francis, the first Argentine pope, as well as meetings with worshippers and officials.
Leo walked among the crowd after leaving the popemobile, greeting people before going into the basilica to change. He then celebrated a Mass focused on charity wearing vestments in the colors associated with Our Lady of Luján. His chasuble and mitre featured the same colors as the Virgin’s mantle and Argentina’s flag, rather than the customary liturgical colors.
In his emotional homily, Leo thanked God for the opportunity to visit Argentina and meet its people. “I thank God for allowing me to meet this people I hold so dear—a people who welcome everyone with open doors, share their bread and music, and always make room at the table, offer good conversation over mate, and extend a hand to those in need,” he said.
Leo left Argentina at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, in a ceremony at Ezeiza International Airport, and boarded a flight to Lima, Peru’s capital. He was expected to arrive later that afternoon. Peru is the final stop on his South American trip, which began in Uruguay on Nov. 6. The pope is scheduled to remain in Peru through Nov. 16, then return to Rome; his arrival at the Vatican is expected the following day.
The visit has personal significance for Leo, who lived in Peru for more than two decades and developed an important part of his religious career there. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he arrived in the country in 1985 as a missionary with the Order of St. Augustine. He later worked in pastoral care and religious education.
In 2014, he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, and became the region’s bishop the following year. He also acquired Peruvian citizenship in 2015. His schedule in Peru begins in Lima with meetings with officials, Church representatives and young people. On Nov. 12, he is due to meet with bishops and attend a vigil with students at the National Stadium. The next day, he is scheduled to travel to Chiclayo, celebrate Mass in Pimentel and meet members of religious and university communities. Chiclayo was one of the main centers of his pastoral work in the country.
