Pope Leo XIV holds a major outdoor Mass in Buenos Aires that draws an estimated 2.5 million people, described across reports as the largest crowd of his papacy. Multiple outlets say the gathering marks his first papal Mass in Argentina in decades and is part of a 12-day Latin America tour. Crowds pack Avenida del Libertador, with some pilgrims travelling long distances and camping overnight, while giant screens show images of the Pope.
Several outlets also report that Leo pairs the Mass with meetings and messages aimed at vulnerable groups. He meets people with disabilities and victims of clerical abuse, and he urges protections for those most in need. After visiting a care home for people with disabilities, he says a nation’s progress is measured by how it treats the most vulnerable. Some coverage links his remarks to Argentina’s political climate, noting President Javier Milei’s social spending cuts.
Outlets agree on the scale of attendance and the broad themes of unity and compassion. Differences mainly lie in emphasis: some foreground the religious significance and tour timeline, while others highlight the political and social context around social services and abuse victims, or focus on crowds’ details such as chanting and travel distances.
