Argentina: 'The country that now has two popes'

Our Lady of Lujan Basilica - Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

On his third day in Argentina, on Tuesday, the feast of his namesake, Pope St Leo the Great, the Holy Father travelled to Córdoba, where he celebrated Mass on the grounds of the Military Aviation School. In his homily he recalled Argentina's many saints and blesseds, especially those who flourished in and around Córdoba, who can be an example for the Church and its faithful.

"It is, a joyful duty to fulfil the mission that the Lord entrusts to each of us. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, we are all called to holiness. This is our task here on earth: to attain perfect union with God," the Pope said.

"Open your hearts and by the grace of God, go forth ad be saints… Go forth and evangelise!"

Following the Mass, the Pope greeted the thousands of people who gathered outside the Archbishop's Residence and in off-the-cuff remarks urged Argentinians to thank God for the gift of being united, encouraging everyone to remain so.

Pope Leo then met with bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Córdoba and invited them to return to the source of their vocation and renew their relationship with Christ.

"Dare to look at Argentina through the eyes of God! Dream of young people asking themselves if Christ is calling them; of parishes that are vibrant communities of faith; of religious families that have the boldness of their founders; of seminaries and novitiates where saints are formed. Dream of a Church that continues to make noise, just as your fellow countryman Francis asked you to," he said. "Do not allow anyone to take away the freedom God has given you."

The Pope left Córdoba in the afternoon and landed back in the capital Buenos Aires just after 6pm local time.

He closed the day with a prayer vigil at the Monumento de los Españoles with around one million young people, where he encouraged them to give their lives to Christ, as it is never too late to respond to God's call to holiness, and reminded them they have a home in the Church.

"Do not bow down before anything that cannot give you life. And if you have ever fallen, get back up. Do not allow anything or anyone to take away the freedom God has given you." he said.

"Whoever you are and whatever you may have done, Jesus Christ knows you, Jesus Christ loves you, and wants you to be close to Him."

Pope Leo began his his final day in Argentina on Wednesday with an 8am visit to the Buenos Aires Federal Penitentiary Complex.where Pope Francis used to wash inmates' feet on Holy Thursday when he was the city's archbishop. Three men told Leo how drugs and crime had nearly swallowed their lives. When they finished, he walked over and embraced each of them.

At 10am he celebrated his final Mass in Argentina, with some two million people, in the square in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, the most important religious pilgrimage centre in Argentina.

Pope Leo XIV began his homily by recalling the "richness" of the country, "not only in its geography, but also in its people," especially in the "creativity, the spontaneity, and the life that overflows at every turn."

Noting that the Mass was being celebrated in the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Lujan, the patroness of Argentina, Pope Leo also remembered Pope Francis, his predecessor, and his deep devotion to the Mother of God. Mary, he said, standing at the foot of the Cross, unites herself to the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and accompanies us on this journey."

The first step of the journey, reconciliation, calls us to "receive God's grace and to undergo processes of forgiveness and reconciliation that renew peace, hope and charity within us."

Recalling the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the Pope then invited the faithful, in the second stage of the journey, to be enlightened by the word of God, especially when we feel "tired, discouraged and disappointed."

After "reconciliation and enlightenment through the word of God," Pope Leo continued, "we are called to communion." He insisted that there is a place for everyone at the table of the Christ, especially those who are most in need.

"The diverse sensibilities present in the Church and the strong convictions that animate each person are a source of richness if they remain anchored in the certainty that unity is a gift received and a responsibility to be fulfilled," he said, quoting from his own encyclical, Magnifica humanitas.

The final step in the journey is "sending forth on mission," the Pope concluded. He called on the faithful to "go and proclaim… go and evangelise." "Argentina, arise and walk!" he said, inviting them to do everything out of love.

Pope Leo concluded his homily by entrusting himself and his apostolic mission to Our Lady of Lujan. "Like millions of Argentines who come to your home to implore your maternal protection," he said, "I too wish to take refuge under your mantle."

And he asked the Blessed Mother to "guide and accompany the Argentine people on their journey" and to "help them to build bridges of charity and networks of solidarity; inspire in them the desire to continue along paths of reconciliation, communion and mission, illuminated by the word of your son Jesus Christ and firmly grounded in Him."

Watch a Vatican Media film of the Mass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouNtqpAMWN8

Before leaving Argentina for Peru this afternoon, Pope Leo met briefly with the volunteers who helped organise his four-day visit, thanking them for their efforts.

"We have come to the end of these beautiful, wonderful days, celebrating life, celebrating faith, recognizing the great value of human life and the great gift the Lord has given us, which is faith," he said. "In the presence of Christ Jesus, who gave His life for us, and of His Mother Mary, Our Lady of Lujan, with whom we have celebrated the Eucharist."

"Jesus came to give His life," said the Pope. "You, as volunteers, have given your lives to help all the people of Argentina during these days, and to help me as well."

From the plane, he posted a message that Argentines spent the rest of the day passing to one another:

"I thank God for all I lived during my visit to Argentina, the cradle of our dear Pope Francis. Thank you for welcoming me with such affection; I have felt at home. That is why you can say that from now on this country has two popes: one who was born here and another by adoption."