Buenos Aires lights up to welcome Pope Leo XIV. The Obelisk, one of the most iconic monuments of the Argentine capital, was illuminated in honor of the Pontiff, who arrived in the country as part of his apostolic journey in Latin America, which also includes Uruguay and Peru. A symbolic gesture with which the city wanted to celebrate a visit of great historical and religious significance, especially because it takes place in the homeland of Pope Francis.
The arrival of Leo XIV marks the return of a Pontiff to Argentina after almost forty years. The last papal visit was in 1987, when John Paul II traveled across the country meeting millions of faithful. Since then, no Pope had made an apostolic journey to Argentine territory, not even Francis, who was born in Buenos Aires.
The welcome given to Leo XIV was particularly warm. The Pontiff landed on Sunday, November 8, at Jorge Newbery airport in the capital, where President Javier Milei was waiting for him. The two greeted each other with a long handshake at the foot of the airplane stairs, before the official ceremony with the performance of the Argentine national anthem and military honors.
Along the streets of Buenos Aires, numerous citizens followed the passage of the papal motorcade, displaying flags, signs, and welcome messages. A participation that testifies to the deep bond between the South American country and the Catholic Church, further strengthened by the pontificate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Among the first official engagements, the homage to General José de San Martín. Leo XIV went to Plaza San Martín, accompanied by Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, to pay tribute to the monument dedicated to the protagonist of Argentine independence and the armies that contributed to the liberation of several South American countries.
A moment of strong institutional value, followed by the meeting with President Milei at the Casa Rosada, the seat of the Argentine government.
In his speech to the authorities, Pope Leo XIV focused on democracy, political responsibility, and the dignity of work. The Pontiff emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic institutions and transforming political and cultural differences into opportunities for dialogue.
«Sharing a common heritage also requires learning to coexist, even in the presence of differences in thought», said Leo XIV, reminding that history shows how much a society can grow when diversities become tools for dialogue rather than reasons for division.
The Pope then highlighted the value of democratic participation, the right to vote, freedom of expression, and respect for the law, defining them as fundamental goods that every generation is called to defend and strengthen.
Particularly significant was the passage dedicated to the economy and social difficulties. In front of the Argentine authorities, Leo XIV reiterated a central principle of the Church's social doctrine: «The economy must serve the person, and not the person serve the economy».
The Pontiff expressed his thoughts to families facing economic uncertainty, to the unemployed, to the elderly, and to those who, despite having a job, cannot ensure adequate living conditions for their loved ones.
A reminder of the need for economic growth not to be limited to financial indicators but to produce tangible benefits also for the most vulnerable segments of the population.
The Pope's words take on particular significance in the Argentine context, where the debate on economic policies, public spending, and social protection has long occupied a central position in national political life.
Leo XIV then addressed a direct message to those who hold government responsibilities. Authority, he explained, finds its highest meaning when it is lived as a service to the community and not as a mere exercise of power.
«Those who exercise it also have the duty to act with prudence, to recognize the limits of the power entrusted to them, and to guide their decisions towards the good of the entire community», declared the Pontiff.
A passage greeted with a long applause and interpreted as a general invitation to institutional responsibility, moderation, and the protection of the common good.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved