Pope Leo Visits Argentina, Draws 2.5 Million on Streets of Buenos Aires

Hundreds of thousands of Argentines poured onto the streets of Buenos Aires to greet Pope Leo, marking the first papal visit to the country in 39 years and drawing a record crowd of 2.5 million people. The pontiff expressed joy at the enthusiasm of local Catholics who have seen their Church recently losing ground to evangelical groups.

Millions of Argentines filled the streets of Buenos Aires to greet Pope Leo during a historic outdoor Mass, marking the first papal visit to the country in 39 years and drawing a crowd of 2.5 million people. Pope Leo expressed joy at the strength of the Catholic Church in South America, which has been under threat from growing evangelical denominations. His 18-month leadership of the global Catholic Church has been marked by ambitious tours and challenging diplomatic engagements, such as speaking with Argentine President Javier Milei.

During his first leg of a 12-day trip that includes stops in Uruguay and Peru, Pope Leo underscored calls for regional cooperation and patient diplomacy. In addition to reaffirming his commitment to social issues, Leo highlighted the plight of Argentine families facing instability and socio-economic hardships. His advocacy for fair treatment of workers and concerns over technology's impact on jobs and social relations reflect his broader commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges.