World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Crowds gather in Buenos Aires for Pope Leo's outdoor Mass
Thousands gathered in Buenos Aires on Monday ahead of an outdoor Mass by Pope Leo XIV.
City officials said the service could draw more than 1.5 million people, while organisers prepared hundreds of thousands of communion wafers.
The Mass is a major event in Leo's visit to Argentina, which began on Sunday during a 12-day tour of South America.
The pope, who was born in the United States and spent decades as a missionary in Peru, is making his first visit to majority-Catholic Argentina since 1987.
Leo urged President Javier Milei to protect poor people and warned him that leaders should know the limits of their power.
The pope also visited a care centre for people with disabilities, as spending cuts have reduced disability benefits and poverty remains widespread in Argentina.
After the Mass, Leo was scheduled to meet workers and religious leaders in Buenos Aires and pray with Argentina's bishops before continuing his tour in Peru on Wednesday.
Large crowds gathered in Buenos Aires on Monday ahead of Pope Leo’s outdoor Mass, one of the highlights of his visit to Argentina.
City officials said the Mass could attract more than 1.5 million people.
Thousands arrived around the Monument to the Spaniards in Palermo, with some spending the night outdoors along Avenida del Libertador.
Before the Mass, Leo visited a centre for people with disabilities in Claypole, where more than 400 people live.
Organisers prepared more than 2,000 chalices and over 500,000 consecrated communion wafers for the Mass.
- Who
- Pope Leo and the crowds of pilgrims gathering to attend his Mass.
- What
- An outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires drew large crowds. City officials said it could attract more than 1.5 million people.
- When
- Monday, November 9, 2026. The Mass was scheduled for 11.30am.
- Where
- Palermo, Buenos Aires, around the Monument to the Spaniards and Avenida del Libertador.
- Why
- The crowds gathered to attend the Mass during Leo’s visit to Argentina.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leo arrived in Argentina after visiting Uruguay.
Large crowds gathered in Palermo, with some pilgrims spending the night outdoors along Avenida del Libertador.
Leo visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione centre in Claypole.
Leo’s outdoor Mass in Palermo was scheduled to begin.
- Expected attendance
- More than 1.5 million people
- Mass location
- Palermo, Buenos Aires
- Communion wafers prepared
- Over 500,000
- Chalices prepared
- More than 2,000
- Claypole centre residents
- More than 400 people with disabilities
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What people are saying
I love that (Leo) is visiting us
It's a unique, historic moment, and we should listen to his message.
We've come from La Plata with the whole family. It's deeply moving and historic,
to see him pass by and enjoy this moment, which is unique and unrepeatable!