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Archbishop Warns of Wounded Argentina Ahead of Papal Visit
Confirmed
In Short: Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva of Buenos Aires described Argentina as 'wounded and divided' ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit, calling for 'embraces of forgiveness, solidarity.
Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva of Buenos Aires described Argentina as 'wounded and divided' ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit, calling for 'embraces of forgiveness, solidarity, and reconciliation.'
During an Oct. 4 homily at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, García Cuerva addressed pilgrims who had walked roughly 37 miles from the St. Cajetan shrine in Buenos Aires.
The archbishop emphasized the need for 'deep embraces — not merely formal ones — embraces from the soul,' in response to the country's social and political tensions.
The pilgrimage, which has drawn participants from across Argentina since 1974, attracted an estimated 2.7 million people in 2026, according to the Buenos Aires state government.
García Cuerva highlighted the country's political divisions, known as 'la grieta,' and the economic struggles faced by many citizens, noting that 'a very large percentage of our fellow citizens' are 'struggling' and living in deep poverty.
Paulina Cabeza, a 19-year-old pilgrim from Entre Ríos, expressed hope that reaching the shrine would bring 'an enormous sense of relief,' while Mariano Gauna, a construction worker making his 10th pilgrimage, described the emotional release of finally arriving at the destination.
The pope's visit, scheduled for Nov. 2026, will be his first to Latin America since his papacy began.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, a center serving people with developmental disabilities, an issue that has drawn growing public attention.
Archbishop García Cuerva expressed personal disappointment that Pope Francis, who always participated in the pilgrimage while archbishop of Buenos Aires, would not be visiting.
The archbishop's plea for unity and healing resonated with many pilgrims, who focused on prayer, gratitude, and hope ahead of the pope's historic return to Argentina.
What this adds
The pilgrimage and the archbishop's remarks underscore the deep social and political divisions in Argentina, known as 'la grieta,' and the ongoing economic challenges faced by many citizens.
The archbishop's comments reflect the broader concerns about the country's political and economic climate, which have been exacerbated by government austerity measures and debates over social welfare programs.
The visit to the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione highlights the growing public attention to issues affecting people with developmental disabilities, a topic that has gained prominence in recent years.
Background
Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva of Buenos Aires pleaded for unity, describing the country as 'wounded and divided' ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina.
What's confirmed
- “Our homeland is needing many embraces,” he said in an Oct. 4 homily while celebrating Mass outside the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, home to the national patroness, at the conclusion of an annual archdiocesan pilgrimage.
- The country required “embraces of forgiveness in the face of so much disparagement and insults; embraces of solidarity in the face of so much indifference; embraces of reconciliation in the face of so much loss; deep embraces — not merely formal ones — embraces from the soul,” he told the pilgrims, many of whom had walked roughly 37 miles from the St. Cajetan shrine in Buenos Aires to Luján.
- The youth pilgrimage has drawn participants from across Argentina since 1974, drawing an estimated 2.7 million people in 2026, according to the Buenos Aires state government.
- Archbishop García Cuerva called the act of pilgrimage, “An expression of life,” which offered lessons in tough times.
- But he added, “Personally, it pains me that (Pope) Francis didn’t come, because with Francis … we have already walked together,” he said, explaining the late pope always participated in the pilgrimage to Luján while archbishop of Buenos Aires.
- Much of the media attention from the pilgrimage centered on Archbishop García Cuerva, who told Argentine media on Oct. 2 that Pope Leo would find “a wounded Argentina, a divided Argentina,” a country with a famous “rift,” on his visit.
- The rift — known as “la grieta” — splits Argentina politically between Peronist and anti-Peronist factions, according to analysts.
- “An Argentina in crisis awaits the pope, with a great number of very poor brothers and sisters,” Archbishop García Cuerva said.
- One issue Pagni cited was the pope’s planned visit to the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, which serves people with developmental disabilities.
- Argentina (OSV News) — Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva of Buenos Aires pleaded for unity, describing the country as wounded and deeply divided ahead of a visit to Argentina by Pope Leo XIV.
- The 2026 pilgrimage unfolded barely a month before the visit of Pope Leo XIV, who arrives in Argentina for four days on Nov.
- Paulina Cabeza, 19, a pilgrim from the province of Entre Ríos, north of Buenos Aires, hoped reaching the shrine would be “an enormous sense of relief” as she set out for Luján.
What's still developing
- “Just as we tend to our blisters, Mother, we wish to heal the bonds between us,” Archbishop García Cuerva told pilgrims.
- 4 2026, as they take part in the annual procession in honor of Our Lady of Luján before Pope Leo XIV’s trip to the country.
- In November, Pope Leo will travel to Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay.