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Pope Leo XIV Visits Cottolengo Don Orione in Argentina
Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV visited the Cottolengo Don Orione, a Catholic-run home for disabled people, during his trip to Argentina.
LIVE | Pope Leo XIV in Argentina | Visit to Don Orioneâs Cottolengo | November 9, 2026. EWTN News
Pope Leo XIV made a pilgrimage to the Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, a home for disabled people located south of Buenos Aires, on Monday, November 9. The visit came just over a week before he drew an estimated 2.5 million people to his first Mass in Argentina, according to NBC News.
During his visit, Pope Leo XIV unveiled a commemorative plaque and toured part of the site, where he greeted the community and gave his blessing. He also made a brief private visit to people with disabilities and those living with addictions who are staying at the center, according to Vaticannews.
Luigi Orione, the founder of the Cottolengo Don Orione, was born in Italy in 1872 and initially wanted to join the Franciscans but had to leave due to poor health, as noted by aleteia.org. He later founded the Little Work of Divine Providence, a movement within the Church that established homes for those in need.
The center’s Communications and Human Resource Manager, who has worked there for over 27 years, described the place as a 'small city but a big family with a big heart,' according to Vaticannews. She expressed eagerness to share with the Pope how they live and what they can do with community support.
Father Aníbal Quevedo, a priest of the Don Orione charity and a provincial advisor for operations in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, explained that Cottolengos are institutions providing a service technically termed a permanent home for the disabled and a day center. He noted that the center receives extraordinary donations at different times and highlighted the importance of discussing issues that catch the public's eye.
The visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione was seen as an opportunity to reflect on the support and care provided to those with disabilities, as noted by Batimes. The center’s residents and staff were eager to welcome the Pope and share their experiences.
What this adds
The visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione turned attention to care services for people with disabilities at a time when state assistance is politically contested in Argentina.
What's confirmed
- Cottolengo Don Orione is almost like a small town with its winding streets, central square and 16 homes for 410 adults, many of whom require permanent care.
What's still developing
- “The Pope will find a family,” Maria Victoria Carbone told Vatican News ahead of the papal visit.
- Thousands of pilgrims visit throughout the year to pray, give thanks, or seek the presence of the man known as the “father of the poor.” Bishop Jorge Rubén Lugones, SJ, Bishop of Lomas de Zamora, and the center’s director, Brother Jorge David Silanes, will receive the Pope.
- Luigi Orione described the center as “a most humble work of faith and charity” that offers shelter, bread, and comfort to people who could find no help or refuge from other charities.
- Launched in 2013, Aleteia is a free online daily news publication.
- Footage shows him walking past the faithful, acknowledging those who had come to see him, then pausing in the chapel before the relic of St Luigi Orione's heart.
- The choice of Don Orione, founded in 1935 as a "city of charity", turned attention on care services at a moment when disability funding is politically contested.
- Pope Leo XIV is visiting Argentina as Congress debates changes to state assistance for people with disabilities Cottolengo Don Orione near Buenos Aires houses 410 people Cottolengo Don Orione’s residents take part in ceramic, painting and dance workshops A home for disabled people on the outskirts of Buenos Aires is full of anticipation as it prepares to receive Pope Leo XIV, amid a growing controversy over state assistance for those with special needs in Argentina.
- Just over a week ago, the government paid Cottolengo Don Orione about 828 million pesos (roughly $535,000) for medications, diapers and food, covering about four months at the home, he said.