As Pope Leo XIV departs Argentina, our correspondent in Buenos Aires, Fr. Paul Samasumo, recalls his insistence on Gospel values and points to the next task facing Argentinians: turning the Pope’s words into action.
By Fr. Paul Samasumo – Buenos Aires
Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to Argentina has come to an end.
It was an historic visit marked by a Pontiff who seamlessly brought together his roles as head of the Vatican City State and universal pastor of the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo spoke plainly about what mattered and needed to be said, choosing language that was conciliatory but firm.
At the heart of his messages was the Gospel, and he called on Argentinians to uphold human dignity, embrace radical charity, and reconciliation.
And Argentinians responded by turning up for papal events in great numbers.
An estimated 2.5 million people attended Mass at the Monumento de los Españoles on Tuesday in Cordoba.
Throughout the Apostolic Journey, Pope Leo also made touching gestures that graciously acknowledged Pope Francis, his predecessor and a native son of this land.
On Tuesday night, after a long day in the city of Cordoba, the Pope listened to young people at a prayer vigil in Buenos Aires.
Like a concerned father, he consoled, assured, and embraced the concerns that Argentina’s young people laid at his feet. Then, he commissioned the young people to go and proclaim the Gospel
The term, “Pontifex” means bridge-builder.
Perhaps a lasting impression of this Apostolic Journey could be that of a Pontiff who came not only to deliver messages, but a universal pastor who listened and heard the joys and the sorrows of his flock.
