In short
- Local authorities put attendance at Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in the Palermo parks of Buenos Aires at some 2.5 million people.
- It was the first Mass celebrated by a pontiff in Argentina since John Paul II’s visit in 1987.
- The crowd followed the ceremony on 33 giant screens set up along more than two kilometres, on a day declared a national holiday.
- President Javier Milei watched from the front row; El País reported brief whistles and boos in some parts of the park when his image appeared on the screens.
- Leo XIV travels to Córdoba on Tuesday for a 10 a.m. Mass at the Military Aviation School, where the provincial government expects more than a million people and more than 2,000 buses of pilgrims.
About 2.5 million people attended the Mass Pope Leo XIV celebrated on Monday in the parks of Palermo, Buenos Aires, according to local authorities — the first Mass by a pontiff in Argentina since John Paul II’s visit in 1987. The homily focused on the role of the family.
How many people attended the Mass in Palermo?
Local authorities put the crowd at some 2.5 million, and El País described it as the largest gathering of Leo XIV’s pontificate. The faithful began arriving on Sunday night around the Monument of the Spaniards, where the stage was set up, and many slept at the site. The crowd followed the ceremony on 33 giant screens set up along more than two kilometres and spilled into nearby streets on a day declared a national holiday. Alongside Argentine flags were those of Uruguay, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay.
What did Leo XIV say about the family?
The Pope arrived in Palermo at around 11.30 a.m. after visiting Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, a home for people with disabilities on the outskirts of the capital. In his homily he said: “The history, culture and society of Argentina have found in the family the source from which to draw the people’s fundamental values.” The family has been, he added, the place “to pass on the faith, human virtues, the culture of work, respect for elders, the defence of life and fidelity to one’s word”. His remembrance of Pope Francis, who died last year, was met with a long ovation.
What did the Pope say to Argentina’s government?
President Javier Milei followed the Mass from the front row alongside senior government officials. According to El País, brief whistles and boos were heard in some parts of the park when his image appeared on the screens. On Sunday, in his first address to the authorities, the Pope said that “the economy must be at the service of the person”, a message this outlet reported as a call for Argentina’s economy to serve all. This outlet had earlier reported the Pope’s rebuke of Milei’s austerity on his first Argentina visit.
Who was in the crowd?
“In 1987 I couldn’t see John Paul II, so I didn’t want to miss Leo,” said Lidia, 71, who arrived at six in the morning from the Buenos Aires suburbs. Of the Pope’s Sunday speech, she said: “His message was very realistic; he described everything we are going through.”
Where does Pope Leo XIV travel next?
The Pope travels to Córdoba on Tuesday, where he will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. at the Military Aviation School. The provincial government expects more than a million people and more than 2,000 buses of pilgrims. He will then greet the crowd from the balcony of the Archbishopric, as John Paul II did in 1987, and meet clergy at the Cathedral. On Wednesday he will celebrate a final Mass in Luján before travelling to Peru.
Frequently asked questions
How many people attended Pope Leo XIV’s Mass in Buenos Aires?
Local authorities put attendance at some 2.5 million people for the Mass celebrated on Monday in the parks of Palermo, Buenos Aires. El País described it as the largest gathering of his pontificate.
Was this the first papal Mass in Argentina since 1987?
Yes. It was the first Mass celebrated by a pontiff in Argentina since John Paul II’s visit in 1987, according to the source material.
Where is Pope Leo XIV going after Buenos Aires?
The Pope travels to Córdoba on Tuesday for a 10 a.m. Mass at the Military Aviation School, then celebrates a final Mass in Luján on Wednesday before travelling to Peru.
Did Javier Milei attend the Mass?
President Javier Milei followed the Mass from the front row alongside senior government officials. El País reported brief whistles and boos in some parts of the park when his image appeared on the screens.
With reporting from en.mercopress.com.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
