Millions gather in Buenos Aires for pope Leon XIV mass

Thousands of people gathered on Avenida del Libertador in Palermo, Buenos Aires, to attend a mass presided over by Pope Leon XIV.

The event marked the first time a pope visited the city in 39 years. People traveled from various regions of Argentina, including La Quiaca, Río Negro, and Rosario, to participate in the collective religious experience.

Participants arrived in large groups, including a community of 300 students and alumni from the Fray Mamerto Esquiú school and a group of 40 parishioners from La Quiaca. Many attendees stayed overnight in nearby offices or homes to secure a spot near the altar. While some people missed seeing the pope during his brief motorcade through the tunnel, others watched him on large screens while he walked toward the stage accompanied by 120 Argentine bishops and archbishops.

During the ceremony, the pope spoke about the church as a beautiful work and a place where the people of God gather to give thanks. After the mass, musical groups performed, leading the crowd in traditional dances. Security forces reported that approximately 2.5 million people gathered in the Palermo area to witness the ceremony.