Home · Faith · Nov 10 archive

Pope Leo XIV Draws 650,000 to Mass in Córdoba, Honors Saints

Updated 9:15 AM ET · 9:40 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 650,000 people to a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, on Tuesday, urging Argentines to follow the holy example of the country’s saints.

Pope Leo draws 650,000 to Mass in Argentina's second city. Reuters

The pope reminded the congregation, and millions more watching on television or radio, that they are called to holiness and that this calling is always missionary.

During the Mass, Pope Leo XIV honored St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero and St. María Antonia de Paz Figueroa, who were called by the Lord and sent on mission, without even realizing how extraordinary their evangelizing work would be.

Pope Leo XIV also spoke of St. Héctor Valdivielso Sáez and the Argentinian blesseds who suffered martyrdom during the Spanish Civil War and in the Argentine provinces of La Rioja and Salta.

The pope emphasized that all Christians are called to be saints and evangelists, drawing inspiration and guidance from the Church’s canonized holy men and women.

Overflowing crowds welcomed Pope Leo to Córdoba, an industrial city of 1.6 million residents some 430 miles northwest of Buenos Aires.

After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV greeted the thousands of people who gathered outside the Archbishop’s Residence, encouraging everyone to remain united.

Pope Leo XIV also met privately with five people who had been abused by clergy or Church institutions in Argentina, listening individually to their experiences during an encounter that lasted more than an hour.

The pope’s visit to Córdoba was part of his Apostolic Journey to Argentina, where he also celebrated a Mass in Buenos Aires the day before, drawing an estimated 2.5 million people.

Pope Leo XIV urged Argentines to reject the “idols” of money, drugs, and pornography and to model their lives on the saints.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the city's religious heritage and urged believers to embrace the call to holiness and build a nation rooted in fraternity and solidarity.

Pope Leo XIV also mentioned the ethical responsibilities arising from technological advances, particularly artificial intelligence, and called for careful consideration of their consequences.

The pope’s visit to Córdoba was marked by powerful singing and music, and the celebration was accompanied by the presence of 100 bishops and some 1,000 priests, all dressed in white.

Background

What's confirmed

• Significantly, too, both were canonized by Pope Francis.
• By NICOLE WINFIELD, ISABEL DEBRE and ALMUDENA CALATRAVA, Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged Argentines on Tuesday to follow the holy example of the country’s best-known saints as he drew an estimated 650,000 people to the central city of Córdoba for Mass and an estimated 1 million more for a nighttime vigil in the capital Buenos Aires.
• During his Apostolic Journey to Argentina, Pope Leo XIV recalls the Saints and Blesseds who helped shape the country’s spiritual heritage, as their holiness was lived in tireless service to those most in need.
• Celebrating Mass outside an aircraft manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Argentina's second-largest city on Nov. 10, Leo spoke of St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero and St. María Antonia de Paz Figueroa, "who were called by the Lord and sent on mission, without even realizing how extraordinary their evangelizing work would be. Indeed, we too, like all Christians, are merely humble servants, and all we must do is fulfil our duty."
• “We are all called to holiness. This is our task here on earth: to attain perfect union with God,” the pope continued.
• Overflowing crowds welcomed Pope Leo to Cordóba, an industrial city of 1.6 million residents some 430 miles northwest of Buenos Aires.
• The energy as they waited for Pope Leo could only be described as electrifying, and once the popemobile tour began, dozens of babies got their parents’ wish: a papal blessing from a man who was visibly enjoying the evening despite the marathonic day he had.
• Catholic faithful hold an Argentine flag bearing images of the late Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV as they wait for Pope Leo XIV to arrive to celebrate Mass at Parque Paris Londres in Paysandu, Uruguay, Saturday, Nov.
• During his homily before about 650,000 worshippers, according to Vatican figures, the pontiff highlighted the city's religious heritage, honored Argentine saints and urged believers to embrace the call to holiness and build a nation rooted in fraternity and solidarity.
• “Dear brothers and sisters, these saints and blesseds have already fulfilled their mission on earth. Today, it is our turn to follow the radiant example of holiness they have left with us,” Pope Leo said.
• Pope Leo XIV urged Argentines on Tuesday to follow the holy example of the country’s best-known saints, as an estimated 650,000 people gathered in the central city of Córdoba for Mass.
• Pope Leo XIV has urged Argentines to reject the “idols” of money, drugs and pornography and to model their lives on the saints.

What's still developing

• Leo, the missionary Augustinian pope, has throughout his visit recalled the Christian history and tradition of this vast country of 46 million people, 35 percent of them under the age of 25, and has sought to encourage them to put Christ at the center of their lives and follow him.
• “Religions safeguard human dignity,” the Pope said to a gathering of faith leaders at the Palacio San Martín.
• Haime was referring to Jorge Bergoglio, the first Argentine and Latin American pope, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years without making an official visit to his home country.
• Recalling that Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum was the “foundational act” of modern Catholic social teaching, he said it is evident that Shaw’s writings and decisions were shaped by that text.
• After Mass, the pope was expected to meet with 20 individuals chosen by the Archdiocese of Córdoba’s vicariate for the poor, according to local media.
• They stood out in the crowd, who had all bowed down at the order of King Nebuchadnezzar, said the Pope.
• She “knew how to combine contemplation with service to neighbor, recognizing that the greatest act of fraternal charity is to bring others closer to God,” Pope Leo said.
• The Vatican said it was attended by 650,000 pilgrims, following Monday’s Mass in Buenos Aires, where about 2.5 million worshippers gathered – the largest of his pontificate so far.
• Pope Leo XIV arrives to preside over Mass at the grounds of the Military Aviation School in Cordoba, Argentina, Tuesday, Nov.

Sources

• America Magazinelink
• Boston Heraldlink
• Catholic World Reportlink
• Catholicweeklylink
• Euronews.comlink
• KSL Newslink
• MercoPresslink
• Ncronlinelink
• OSV Newslink
• Santa Cruz Sentinellink
• Temple Daily Telegramlink
• The Dialoglink
• Thecatholictelegraphlink
• newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.orglink
• trentonmonitor.comlink
• upilink
• Reuters — video link
• EWTN News — video link
• EWTN News — video link
• AlMamlaka English — video link
• Reuters — video link
• No Comment TV — video link