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Pope Leo XIV Draws Massive Crowd at Buenos Aires Mass
· Confirmed
In Short: Pope Leo XIV addressed a Mass in Buenos Aires, drawing the largest crowd of his pontificate.
Thousands cheer as Pope Leo XIV arrives in Buenos Aires to celebrate Mass. AP Archive
Today, Pope Leo XIV addressed a Mass in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which drew an estimated 2.5 million faithful, surpassing the previous record set by Pope John Paul II in 1982.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the role of the family in passing on faith and values through simple gestures like blessings before meals and bedtime prayers.
Marta Lima, a 63-year-old retired teacher, welcomed the Pope's call to 'strengthen family ties,' noting that it is essential for preventing violence and fostering a supportive community.
Pope Leo XIV also paid an emotional tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before becoming pontiff.
In a message to participants of the 31st Industrial Conference of Argentina, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the harmony between Christian faith and business practices, stating that Catholic social teaching can transform lives and institutions.
The pope honored the late Argentine businessman Enrique Shaw in a message to the conference, highlighting Shaw’s contributions to both faith and business.
Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Buenos Aires was part of his regional tour, which included a previous stop in Uruguay, where he urged Catholics to reach out to those who have drifted away from the Church.
The faithful prayed, listened to testimonies, and watched a documentary that included clips of historic Catholic events, such as the visits to Argentina by Pope John Paul II in the 1980s and the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as pope.
What this adds
Both outlets noted the pope’s emphasis on the Christian family as a source of strength for the Church and society.
Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16, 2026, while OSV News reported that the pope sent a personal condolence message following an Israeli missile strike that killed five people in Gaza.
Background
Pope Leo XIV returned to Chiclayo, Peru, for an emotional Mass, drawing a large crowd.
Pope Leo XIV addressed a Mass in Buenos Aires, drawing the largest crowd of his pontificate.
What's confirmed
- Today the organization cares for 400 people with disabilities.
- “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.
- Approximately 2.5 million faithful gather for Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at the Monument de los Españoles in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Nov.
- BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Pope Leo XIV praised the Christian family as a source of strength for the Church in Argentina and for the country’s society in general, at an open-air Mass in the capital on Nov.
What's still developing
- It was the largest gathering ever at a Mass in this city, and surpassed that of John Paul II in 1982.
- “The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica… brings us to the heart of what it means to be the Church,” Pope Leo XIV said during Mass in Buenos Aires on Monday.
- EWTN News reported that Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16, 2026, while OSV News reported that the pope sent a personal condolence message following an Israeli missile strike that killed five people in Gaza.
- Buenos Aires officials said more than two million worshippers had turned out Monday for a vast public Mass by Pope Leo XIV, with pilgrims travelling from across Argentina and camping overnight to get a glimpse of the pontiff.
- On Saturday he celebrated Mass before some 30,000 faithful in Paysandú, where he praised mate as a symbol of unity and the bridge linking the city with Argentina as a call to dialogue; he visited the Casavalle neighbourhood and the Catholic University, and led a vigil before some 60,000 people at the Centenario Stadium.
Sources
- America Magazinelink
- Buenos Aires Timeslink
- EWTN Newslink
- National Catholic Registerlink
- Vaticannewslink
- Warpbeatlink
- eNCAlink
- Azernewslink
- Ewtnnewslink
- Enlink
- Ewtnvaticanlink
- WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Returns to Chiclayo for Emotional Mass link
- WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Draws Massive Crowd in Buenos Aires link
- AP Archive — video link
- AP Archive — video link
- AP Archive — video link