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Pope Leo XIV Draws Massive Crowd in Buenos Aires

Updated 6:16 PM ET · 3:56 PM ETConfirmedShare via:          

Faith Desk

In Short: Pope Leo XIV addressed a Mass in Buenos Aires, praising the Christian family and calling for greater protection of vulnerable people.

Today, Pope Leo XIV addressed a Mass in Buenos Aires, where he emphasized the importance of the Christian family and called for greater protection of vulnerable people. The Mass, celebrated at the Monument de los Españoles, drew an estimated 2.5 million faithful, surpassing the previous record set by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

Pope Leo XIV praised the Christian family as a pillar of strength amid societal insecurities. He encouraged families to remain united in faith and to pass on their values through simple gestures like blessings before meals and bedtime prayers.

Pope Leo XIV’s message resonated with the crowd, with Marta Lima, a 63-year-old retired teacher, welcoming the call to 'strengthen family ties.' She emphasized that family unity is crucial in preventing violence.

The pope also honored the late Argentine businessman Enrique Shaw, emphasizing the harmony between Christian faith and business practices. He highlighted Shaw’s example as a possible path that transforms lives by placing Christ at the center of all human activity.

Local authorities estimated the turnout for the Mass at 2.5 million people, with pilgrims traveling from across Argentina and camping overnight to secure a spot. The event was the largest gathering of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate in Buenos Aires.

Pope Leo XIV also paid an emotional tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before becoming pontiff.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of the Christian family as a source of strength for both the Church and society, urging families to take a leading role in evangelization.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Today the organization cares for 400 people with disabilities.
• 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.

What's still developing

• “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.
• 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.
• Luigi Orione in Claypole, Argentina (VATICAN MEDIA) BUENOS AIRES: 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.
• Suscribe x Pope Leo XIV ended his visit to Uruguay on Sunday with a Mass before some 30,000 faithful in the city of Florida, where he urged Catholics to reach out to those who have drifted away from the Church in South America’s most secular country, before flying to Buenos Aires, the second stop on his regional tour.
• “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.

Sources

• America Magazinelink
• Buenos Aires Timeslink
• EWTN Newslink
• Warpbeatlink
• aleteia.orglink
• eNCAlink
• Heraldmalaysialink
• Azernewslink
• Ewtnnewslink
• Ncregisterlink
• Enlink
• Vaticannewslink
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Closes Argentina Visit With Prison Ministry and Mass link
• WarpBeat — background on Pope Leo XIV Honors 15 Saints in Córdoba Mass link
• WPLG Local 10 — video link