The city of Luján, in the province of Buenos Aires, is preparing this Wednesday to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who will celebrate the final mass of his visit to Argentina before a multitude of pilgrims, prior to continuing his South American tour in Peru. The ceremony is scheduled in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, the patron saint of Argentina.
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Since Tuesday, the area surrounding the basilica has begun to fill with the faithful arriving from various parts of the country. Volunteers and pilgrims spent the night in the vicinity of the sanctuary, while water was distributed and assistance provided to those awaiting the start of the celebration.
“It is a beautiful gift to be able to start the day at the Basilica and see the Pope,” said Sofía Feligrez, a volunteer who assisted pilgrims throughout the night, speaking to EFE. She expressed her hope that the pontiff would “pray for peace, health, employment, and family unity.”
For Lorenzo Moro, another member of the event’s organizing team, this will be the first time he has ever seen a pope. “It’s an overwhelming emotion—it’s impossible to explain,” he stated. Meanwhile, Beatriz Pinto Feligrez described the day as historic, noting that she arrived feeling especially moved after learning of the impact the pontiff’s words had on her son.
🔴🇦🇷 #PapaLeoneXIV nel cuore della pampa #argentina per l’ultima #Messa nel paese presso la Basilica di Nostra Signora di #Luján.
👉Spettacolari le immagini dall’alto che mostrano la moltitudine di fedeli accorsi per la celebrazione. Due ali di folla che hanno acclamato il #Papa… pic.twitter.com/lfarCAKHcT— Tv2000.it (@TV2000it) November 11, 2026
The text reads, “Pope Leo XIV in the heart of the Argentine pampas for his final Mass in the country, held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. Spectacular aerial footage shows the multitude of the faithful who gathered for the celebration—crowds lining both sides of the path, cheering for the Pope as he passed by in the popemobile.”
A major security operation has altered traffic flow and access to various parts of the city. Barricades, police checkpoints, and road closures have transformed the appearance of Luján—a town accustomed to pilgrimages, yet currently experiencing an extraordinary day due to the papal visit.
Among the political figures in attendance are the Governor of Buenos Aires Province, Axel Kicillof, and Congressman Máximo Kirchner—son of former President Cristina Fernández (2007–2015)—both of whom are Peronist leaders. The visit to Luján will take place after the Pope tours the Devoto prison in the city of Buenos Aires, and it will mark his final large-scale public event in Argentina.
Following the religious ceremony, Leo XIV will head to Ezeiza International Airport, where a farewell ceremony will be held before his departure for Peru—the next stop on his South American tour.
On Tuesday evening, the Pontiff took part in a gathering with young people at the Monument to the Spaniards in Buenos Aires. There, he was visibly moved by the story of a 25-year-old man who recounted how he managed to overcome drug use during his adolescence, thanks to the support he received from the Church.
Leo XIV: Prison should be a space for conversion and hope
On his final day in Argentina, the American-Peruvian Pontiff visited the Villa Devoto prison. In the facility’s gymnasium, he listened to the experiences of the inmates—addressing a group of about 70 prisoners, officials from the Federal Penitentiary Service, and members of the Prison Pastoral Care ministry.
During his remarks, he acknowledged the impact of being separated from family, the hardships of confinement, and the pain stemming from the harm caused. He also highlighted that prison can offer opportunities for learning, vocational training, and personal transformation.
🏳️Pope Leo XIV Tells Prisoners It’s Never Too Late to Start Again and Make Peace with Godhttps://t.co/jyjmEpSSqR
— ROME REPORTS (@romereports) November 11, 2026
Leo XIV expressed his hope that the time spent in confinement might not be in vain, but rather become a time of grace and salvation.
Chaplain Matías de Martini, who has served at the facility for over two decades, explained that the participants had begun to engage with the Church, preparing themselves through prayer and spiritual exercises.
The Villa Devoto prison has a long-standing connection to Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who visited the facility during his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires—performing the washing of the feet for inmates on Holy Thursdays and even spending a Christmas there.
The facility is undergoing a dismantling process, with closure planned as part of an agreement reached in 2018 between the Argentine government and the Buenos Aires city authorities, during the presidency of Mauricio Macri.
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