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Pope Leo XIV Urges Argentina to Reject 'Idols' During Massive Pilgrimage
Confirmed
In Short: During his visit, Pope Leo XIV met privately with five people who had been abused by clergy or Church institutions in Argentina, listening to their experiences for over an hour.
Pope Leo XIV draws about a million people at a youth vigil in Argentina. Associated Press
Pope Leo XIV urged Argentines to reject the 'idols' of money, drugs, and pornography, as he drew an estimated 1 million people to a vigil late Tuesday in the hometown of his predecessor, Pope Francis, in Buenos Aires.
In his remarks, Leo XIV urged the young Argentines to 'stand firm' and reject the 'idols of our time.' He also encouraged them to model their lives on the saints.
The pope's visit to Argentina, which began on Sunday, November 8, and concluded on Wednesday, November 11, included several Masses and meetings with Catholic leadership.
The pope's visit to Argentina was marked by a massive youth vigil and a celebration of vespers, with an estimated 2.5 million people turning out for the main Mass in Buenos Aires on Monday.
Pope Leo XIV also visited the Cottolengo Don Orione center, where he met residents and staff, and concluded his visit with a prison ministry and a Mass in Cordoba.
The pope's visit was intended to strengthen ties with local churches, encourage the faithful, and promote a message of faith, hope, and peace in the region.
Pope Leo XIV also addressed bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, and pastoral councils at the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Chiclayo, emphasizing the importance of synodality.
The pope's visit to Argentina was the first in nearly 40 years, with an estimated 650,000 people packing the central city of Cordoba for Mass.
What this adds
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina was marked by a strong emphasis on the importance of the Eucharist and the veneration of the small terracotta image of Mary, venerated as Argentina's national patroness.
The pope's visit was seen as a way to help a nation that had lost a pope to embrace his successor, as noted by Francis biographer Austen Ivereigh.
The pope's visit played a central role in Argentina's struggle for independence, which began with the May Revolution of 1810.
Background
Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Argentina with a prison ministry and a Mass in Cordoba, urging Argentinians to build a more caring nation.
What's confirmed
- But as the celebration began, the festive energy gave way to an unmistakable expression of faith centered on the Eucharist and the small terracotta image of Mary venerated as Argentina's national patroness.
- Argentina (AP) — 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.
What's still developing
- His response, though, was not to turn the visit into a Francis-based pilgrimage, the way Pope Benedict XVI did in his 2006 visit to Poland, which literally followed the path of St.
- Seated in her wheelchair, her silver-gray hair carefully braided, Marta Torres told Pope Leo that she was born with a disability and abandoned by her mother when she was very young.
- Learn more ROSARIO, Argentina — November 11, 2026 Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email to a friend Print In a city transformed overnight into something resembling both a vast open air Marian shrine and an Argentine soccer stadium, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the final Mass of his visit to Argentina and called the country to "rise up and walk" along paths of reconciliation, communion and mission.
- By all accounts, the Pope's time in Argentina has been intensely beautiful -- from his first moments at the airport on Sunday afternoon up through the president's tears as he said good-bye today.
- The Pope was "remaining attentive to the needs of each day and allowing for appropriate periods of rest," it said, adding that Leo was "deeply grateful for the prayers and affection he has received from throughout the world." Pope Leo is due to arrive in Argentina on Sunday, November 8, staying in the country until Wednesday, November 11.
- Argentina (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV met privately Nov. 9 with five people abused by clergy or Church institutions in Argentina, listening individually to their experiences during an encounter that lasted more than an hour, the Holy See Press Office said.
- 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.
Sources
- Al Jazeeralink
- America Magazinelink
- Angelus Newslink
- Detroit Catholiclink
- Ewtnnewslink
- NPRlink
- National Catholic Registerlink
- National Catholic Reporterlink
- PBSlink
- Religion News Servicelink
- Vatican Newslink
- Angelusnewslink
- Batimeslink
- Aciafricalink
- Thecatholictelegraphlink
- OSV Newslink
- Associated Press — video link
- EWTN News — video link
- EWTN News — video link
- Forbes Breaking News — video link
- EWTN News — video link
- EWTN News — video link