Pope Leo XIV holds largest Mass in Buenos Aires
The gist
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass with an estimated 2.5 million people in Buenos Aires, the largest crowd of his pontificate.
It was Argentina's first papal Mass in nearly 40 years, after a political message to President Milei.
How it unfolded
- Sep 21, 2026The Pope's visit to Argentina is confirmed, with up to seven million people expected to travel to the various events and authorities preparing what is described as the largest security operation in history.
- Nov 8, 2026Pope Leo XIV begins the Argentina leg (Nov. 8-11) of his 12-day South American tour and delivers a strongly political message to President Javier Milei and senior officials, urging them to put people before the economy.
- Nov 9, 2026Access to the Mass site opens at midnight on a national holiday declared for the visit; before the Mass the Pope visits the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, a home for more than 400 people with disabilities.
Key terms
- Mass
- The central Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church, in which bread and wine are consecrated as Christ's body and blood.
- pontificate
- The office, reign, or government of a pope; the term also refers to the papacy itself.
- Popemobile
- A specially designed motor vehicle used by the pope for public appearances to be visible to crowds.
Source: Wikipedia