Pope Leo XIV Honors 15 Saints in Córdoba Mass

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Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV drew 650,000 people to a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, urging Argentines to follow the example of their saints.

Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pope Leo XIV celebrated a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, on November 10, drawing an estimated 650,000 people, according to local authorities. During the Mass, he honored 15 saints, emphasizing the importance of holiness and the mission to proclaim the Gospel.

The pope called on Catholics to follow the example of their country’s saints and blesseds, emphasizing that holiness is inseparable from the mission to proclaim the Gospel and build a society rooted in fraternity and solidarity.

In his homily, the pope noted the connection with the Solemnity of All Saints, observed on November 1, which he described as giving 'direction to our prayer.' He also invited people to listen to 'the melodious voice of creation,' reflecting on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The pope’s visit to Córdoba was part of his 10-day ministry in South America, where he also joined various religious leaders in Buenos Aires to call for human dignity, dialogue, and peace.

During the Mass, Leo XIV celebrated the canonized saints St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero and St. María Antonia de Paz Figueroa, who were called by the Lord and sent on mission without realizing the impact of their work.

The pope’s visit was marked by a sense of joy and enthusiasm, with many babies receiving papal blessings and the pope visibly enjoying the evening despite the long day.

What this adds

On Pope Leo XIV's visit to Córdoba, noting the large turnout and the emphasis on following the example of saints. This report adds details about the specific saints honored and the pope's call to reject modern idols.

Background

Pope Leo XIV drew 650,000 people to a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, urging Argentines to follow the example of their saints.

Pope Leo XIV drew an estimated 650,000 people to a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, urging Argentines to reject modern idols and follow the example of their saints.

What's confirmed

“The family is the place where faith, human virtues, a culture of work, respect for the elderly, the defense of life, and fidelity to one’s word are handed on,” the pope told crowds filling wide avenues that had been closed to traffic.
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.

What's still developing

CÓRDOBA, Argentina — Pope Leo XIV said all Christians are called to be saints and hence evangelists, drawing inspiration and guidance from the Church’s canonized holy men and women.
These saints were “marked by their Argentinian identity” and committed both to spreading the Gospel and “building a fraternal and compassionate homeland,” Leo said.
“Just as Córdoba’s mountains are renowned for the beauty and harmony of their varied shapes and colors, so too are the saints and blesseds characterized by the different charisms and missions they received. They offer a polyphonic witness to the universal call to holiness of every baptized person: the call to be conformed to Christ,” the pope said.
Ignatius Loyala, founder of the Society of Jesus, but also to the Jesuit Pope Francis, whose name drew applause from the congregation.
The logo chosen for the Argentine leg of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Latin America gives visual expression to the many Saints and Blesseds of a country with a long Christian tradition and a history of welcoming others.
The most anticipated return: Leo XIV returns today to the embrace of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano The Pope makes a pilgrimage this September 7 to the historic Marian shrine, on an official trip that rekindles the deep devotion that marked his first steps after his election Today, September 7, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Pope Leo XIV is making one of the most significant Marian appearances of his pontificate by returning to the Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.
Argentina — Pope Leo XIV urged Argentines to reject the "idols" of money, drugs and pornography and to model their lives on the saints, as he drew an estimated 1 million people to a vigil late Tuesday in the hometown of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Leo presided over a massive youth vigil at the Monumento de los Españoles, an intersection of Buenos Aires' grand boulevards that were packed for the nighttime event. It was the same place where an estimated 2.5 million people turned out Monday for Leo's main Mass in Buenos Aires, a record for his still-young pontificate. In his remarks, Leo urged the young Argentines to "stand firm" and reject the "idols of our time."
The feast of St. George, April 23, was observed as a holiday under Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, while the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, held that place during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger.
The Vatican announced Oct. 3 that Cardinal Gambetti would succeed Archbishop Bruno Forte, whose resignation was accepted by the pope.
The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe rejoiced with the Church as Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Br.

Sources

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EWTN News — video link
Fra Francis OFMCap Media — video link
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