Pope Leo XIV Draws Hundreds of Thousands at Mass in Córdoba

Pope Leo XIV addressed an estimated 650,000 worshippers during a public Mass in the central Argentine city of Córdoba on Tuesday. The event followed a gathering in the capital of Buenos Aires a day earlier, where organizers and local authorities estimated attendance at 2.5 million people.

The visit marked the first papal event in Córdoba in nearly four decades, following Pope John Paul II’s trip to the city in 1987. Pilgrims travelled from across Argentina, including regions in Patagonia more than 2,000 kilometres away. After the service, the pontiff spoke from the balcony of the archbishop’s residence in downtown Córdoba, telling the gathered crowds that united action would allow them to overcome difficulties.

During his sermon, Pope Leo XIV called on attendees to draw inspiration from Argentine religious figures, referencing St. José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero and Mama Antula, who was canonized in 2024 as the country’s first female saint. Both figures had been canonized during the papacy of Pope Francis. The pontiff also stated in a social media message that his arrival in Argentina held specific significance due to the twelve-year tenure of his predecessor, who maintained close personal ties to the country.

Prior to his arrival in Argentina, Pope Leo XIV spoke at the Catholic University of Uruguay in Montevideo regarding technological developments and human welfare. In his address, the pontiff urged educational institutions to maintain a balance between technical and human priorities, stating: “It is urgent, then, that our school and university education contribute to the wise use of technologies and AI, putting the person before the algorithm and harmonising technical, emotional, social, spiritual and ecological intelligences.”

The South American tour will move to its final Argentine stage with a scheduled Mass in the town of Luján on Wednesday. Following the service, the pontiff is set to travel to Peru. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in the United States, holds Peruvian citizenship and previously served as a bishop and missionary in the country. Preparations for his arrival in Lima included the blessing of the papal aircraft by Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Paolo Rocco Gualtieri and the unveiling of a statue in Callao.

Written by Sandy van Dongen sandy.vandongen@alpineweekly.com