Pope Leo XIV to make first papal visit to Argentina in 39 years

The Argentine Bishops' Conference, the country's counterpart of the USCCB, has welcomed the announcement of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina, which begins Sunday, November 8. The conference said the bishops hope the pope will help the country overcome its deep social divisions. Buenos Aires is already decorated with sky blue and white Argentine flags and the white and yellow of the Holy See. The Church in Argentina is finishing preparations for a four-day itinerary that will also take the pope to Córdoba and Luján. The trip's motto is "Bienvenidos todos. Vayan y anuncien" ("Welcome, all. Go and proclaim").

It will be the first papal visit to Argentina in 39 years, since St. John Paul II traveled to the country. Archbishop Marcelo Colombo of Mendoza, president of the Argentine Bishops' Conference, said the Church is putting itself at the service of bringing Argentines back together. "We are very aware of that need to strengthen our encounter as a people," Colombo said, adding that the pope's presence "will surely help us find ways to work and act in this area."

Preparations and volunteers

Bishop Raúl Pizarro, secretary general of the conference and auxiliary bishop of San Isidro, joined Colombo to present the trip. Both thanked the more than 25,000 volunteers for their dedication; they will staff the events over the four days. They also thanked the authorities and everyone who has helped organize the logistics of a visit that will involve millions of people.

Colombo said that while the visit picks up the hopes that had built around a possible trip by Pope Francis, this one has "its own characteristics, with Pope Leo's own emphasis and his own agenda," aimed at strengthening communion among Argentines and dialogue among all sectors of society.

A meeting with young people

Pizarro pointed to the meeting the pope will hold with young Argentines on the night of Tuesday, November 10. The pope specifically asked for the event himself. He will listen to those attending tell their life stories and will answer their questions, particularly about the meaning of life. "It is going to be a magnificent night, full of joy and full of hope," Pizarro said.

Visit to a center for people with disabilities

Another event drawing attention is the pope's visit to the Pequeño Cottolengo de Don Orione, one of the thousands of centers the Church runs around the world to care for people with disabilities. Colombo said the visit speaks to "the importance and the need to support those who are vulnerable," and shows how the pope, as a pastor, "extends an embrace over the sacredness of life."

"Where there is true life, there is dignity that must be respected, supported and sustained," he said of the message the pope will bring to the center.

A message of communion and hope

Both bishops repeated their invitation to Argentines to take part in the events with the pope. Colombo said he is convinced the visit will be "an opportunity to keep learning how to communicate Christ in this time."