First modification: 09/11/2026 - 13:03Last modification: 09/11/2026 - 13:57
Thousands of people gather this Monday in the streets of Buenos Aires to participate in the first mass of Pope Leo XIV in Argentina, within the framework of a historic visit to the country. Before the celebration, scheduled for 11:30 at the Monument of the Spanish in Palermo, the pontiff will visit the Cottolengo Don Orione care center for people with disabilities, in tribute to his predecessor Francis. During his first speech, Leo XIV called for social justice and protection for retirees and the most vulnerable sectors, and stated before Javier Milei that “the economy must be at the service of the person.”
The essentials:
Thousands of faithful await the pontiff in Buenos Aires: since dawn, pilgrims have gathered in different parts of the city to accompany the journey of Leo XIV, who will celebrate a mass at 11:30 at the Monument of the Spanish, in Palermo. Part of the journey will be done by popemobile.
A visit to Cottolengo in tribute to Francis: before the mass, the pope will visit the Don Orione care center for people with disabilities, an institution that his predecessor frequented when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Social justice and protection of vulnerable sectors: during his first speech in Argentina, Leo XIV asked for support for education and research, protection for retirees and people with disabilities. Before Javier Milei, he stated: “The economy must be at the service of the person, and not the person at the service of the economy.” After Buenos Aires, you will travel to Córdoba and Luján.
Leo XIV claimed the legacy of Don Orione and defined Cottolengo as “the city of charity”
During his visit to the Little Cottolengo Don Orione, in Claypole, Pope Leo XIV recalled the project of its founder, who wanted the institution to be recognized as "the city of charity." The pontiff highlighted that Don Orione worked for years to build that space, guided by faith and love towards "the most fragile people in society who were often ignored and abandoned to their fate." In that sense, he stated that "no one is marginalized or abandoned."
Leo XIV also praised the spirit of the community and defined Cottolengo as "a fraternal community with open doors in which everything speaks to us of the love of God." "There are places, like this home, where charity is not only expressed in works but is recognized in every gesture, in every face, in every smile. We could even say in the air that is breathed," he expressed to the residents and workers of the institution.
The director of Cottolengo Don Orione thanked Leo XIV for his visit: “His presence fills us with comfort”
Jorge Silanes, director of the Little Cottolengo Don Orione, received Pope Leo XIV with "deep joy" and highlighted the significance of his presence at the Claypole institution. "This place dresses up to welcome you and have a deep encounter with you," he expressed during the welcome ceremony.
In front of the pontiff, Silanes described the daily life of Cottolengo, where "you pray, you work as much as your strength allows, you love God and you serve the poor." He also thanked Leo XIV for accompanying the most vulnerable sectors: "Thank you for showing us the path and walking it alongside the most vulnerable, for being the voice of those who have no voice."
Milei avoids commenting on Leo XIV's message and says that he does not want to involve the pope in Argentine politics
The Argentine president, Javier Milei, described Pope Leo XIV's intervention during his first day of visiting the country as "superlative", but avoided expressing an opinion on its content so as not to give it a political reading. The pontiff demanded social justice, support for education and research and protection for retirees and people with disabilities, and stated before the president that "the economy must be at the service of the person, and not the person at the service of the economy." Milei also highlighted the 40-minute private meeting they had at the Casa Rosada and described it as "something truly shocking."
Leo XIV pays tribute to Pope Francis with a visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione in Argentina
In homage to Pope Francis, Leo Later, he will celebrate his first mass in Argentina at the Monument of the Spanish, in Palermo.
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