On Tuesday, during a massive Mass held in Córdoba, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to follow the legacy of Argentine saints and to commit themselves to social justice, solidarity, and the building of a fraternal nation.
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Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Córdoba With a Call for Solidarity and Faith
The pontiff presided over the celebration at the facilities of the Argentine Aircraft Factory (FAdeA), as part of his apostolic visit to Argentina. Córdoba—the country’s geographical center and its first historical episcopal see—was the only stop on his itinerary within the Argentine interior.
In his homily, drawing from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew and Peter’s confession, Leo XIV exhorted the faithful toward interior conversion, missionary holiness, and a concrete commitment to the most vulnerable sectors of society. The Pope maintained that there can be no credible witness without a genuine commitment to those in need.
“Peter’s confession, which has echoed through history in his successors, reveals to us the mystery of God, made manifest in Christ for our salvation,” the Holy Father stated. He added that “in the faces of these saints—who bear an ‘Argentine accent’—one sees a striking unity between a passion for the Gospel and a commitment to building a nation rooted in fraternity and solidarity.”
Remembering the Argentine Saints
The pontiff highlighted the work of key figures in the Argentine religious tradition—such as the priest Brochero and Mama Antula—describing them as exemplars of direct aid to populations that have historically been marginalized.
“Each of them knew how to take on the challenges of their own historical era and transform them into an opportunity to proclaim the Good News—not in the abstract, but by shaping their own lives to become credible and effective witnesses to the love of Christ,” Leo XIV said during the Mass.
The Pope emphasized that faith must be translated into concrete actions when faced with social hardships. In this regard, he maintained that “only those who know themselves to be loved by the Lord are capable of extending His kingdom of charity and justice, expending their own strength in proclaiming the Gospel, with no weapons other than the Crucifix and the Holy Rosary.”
He also recalled a phrase from his predecessor: “The poor have a need for God and for people who express the power of Christian love through their lives.” For Leo XIV, this teaching takes on particular relevance in the socioeconomic context of 2026, where the union between faith and aid to one’s neighbor is essential.
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Witness and social justice
The central message of the celebration was a call for an Argentina characterized by fraternity and solidarity—built upon the daily commitment of communities, families, young people, and workers. The Pontiff linked evangelization to the pursuit of distributive justice and care for those who are excluded.
“The world expects from us a commitment in how we live and a witness through prayer,” the Pope noted, according to the account of the homily. His exhortation sought to bridge the spiritual dimension of faith with the social responsibility of the faithful.
Leo XIV also offered a grateful remembrance of the martyrs—Saint Héctor Valdivieso Sáenz and the blesseds who were killed in La Rioja and Salta. He further evoked the memory of shepherds such as Friar Mamerto Esquiú and Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, alongside various religious, laypeople, and notable figures like Ceferino Namuncurá, Laura Vicuña, and Saint Artémides Zatti.
The ceremony concluded before an image of the poor Christ—a depiction commissioned by Father Brochero himself. Standing before it, the Pontiff urged those present to carry their evangelical commitment into their daily lives.
“Open your hearts, and with the grace of God, go forth and be saints—in school, in the public square, within your families, among your friends, in the countryside and in the city, on the farm and in the office.” “Go forth, evangelize,” the Pope exhorted.
Agenda in Córdoba
The papal visit to Córdoba began with a large-scale Holy Mass held at the facilities of the Argentine Aircraft Factory (in spanish Fábrica Argentina de Aviones). Later the Pope will hold a pastoral working meeting at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.
Bishops, priests, members of religious orders, and grassroots pastoral workers from various ecclesial communities will participate in this meeting. The event is part of the penultimate day of the Pontiff’s tour of Argentina, which will conclude this Wednesday, November 11, with his departure for Peru.
After concluding his activities in the central province, the Pope will return to Buenos Aires. His evening itinerary includes a youth gathering at the Monument to the Magna Carta and the Four Argentine Regions, located in the Palermo neighborhood.
The youth gathering is scheduled and will bring together young people between the ages of 15 and 35 from diverse backgrounds. The day will conclude with cultural and musical performances by various artists and social figures, including Nahuel Pennisi, Valentino Merlo, Maggie Cullen, Banuev, Tati Domínguez, and Luquitas Rodríguez.
The message from Leo XIV in Córdoba focused on hope, solidarity, and the social engagement of the new generations. The pontiff posited that building a more just society requires a way of life consistent with the values of the Gospel.
The Pope’s visit to Argentina continues to draw large numbers of the faithful across various provinces. In Córdoba, thousands of people gathered from early on to attend the liturgical celebration and hear the message from the leader of the Catholic Church.
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