Argentina prepares for Pope Leo XIV's visit, the first by a pope in 39 years
Church officials and national government representatives met at the Casa Rosada on Tuesday to coordinate security and logistics for Pope Leo XIV's trip to Argentina, now less than three months away
Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Argentina in a little under three months, in the first visit by a pope to the country in nearly four decades. The Catholic Church in Argentina is working with national authorities on the preparations.
Members of the National Committee coordinating the visit met on Tuesday with national government officials at the Casa Rosada, the seat of Argentina's executive branch in Buenos Aires.
The Church was represented by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva; priests Matías Taricco and Máximo Jurcinovic; the nuncio to Argentina, Michael Banach; and other members of the committee. The government delegation was led by Karina Milei, Secretary General of the Presidency. She was joined by Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello, Communication and Press Secretary Fabián Fernández, and Agustín Caulo, Secretary of Worship and Civilization.
Those at the meeting went over how the various areas with responsibilities during the visit will work together. They pointed particularly to the need to coordinate with the provincial governments of Buenos Aires and Córdoba and with the national government on security and on the organization of the large public events planned.
Two auxiliary bishops of Buenos Aires, Pedro Cannavó and Iván Dornelles, also took part, along with Fr. Facundo Fernández Buils. They spoke with officials of the Buenos Aires city government about the activities to be held in the capital.
At the end of the meeting, Banach thanked the national government for its cooperation and said it was important to work together so that the visit is a significant moment for the country.
Spiritual preparation for the visit
Alongside the logistical preparations, the Argentine Bishops' Conference is running a series of prayer sessions led by different bishops. They are held online and streamed on YouTube every Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and invite the faithful to prepare spiritually for the visit.
The communications commission for the papal visit has launched a WhatsApp channel called "León XIV llega | Un texto del Papa cada día" ("Leo XIV is coming | A text from the pope each day"), presented as "a space to get to know who Pope Leo XIV is, to pray with the words of his magisterium and to prepare together to welcome him after 39 years without a pope in our land."
The channel posts a daily image of the pope, a reflection and a countdown to his arrival in the country. "We invite you to read, save and forward the messages that speak to you most," it tells users.
