Pope Leo XIV Draws 2.5 Million to Buenos Aires Mass, Meets Abuse Victims

Two and a half million faithful flooded a kilometres-long stretch of Avenida del Libertador on Monday for Pope Leo XIV's Buenos Aires mass — the largest turnout of his papacy so far. Crowds erupted when giant screens showed the 71-year-old moving through the city, and pilgrims had camped overnight to hold their spots. The US-born pontiff refused to trim his schedule despite undergoing lung cancer surgery less than a month ago.

Mechanic Hector Solis told AFP he travelled cross-country in a three-car convoy. 'We were at the vigil last night, from midnight, and were surprised by how many people were already there,' he said. Carlos Fuentes, 60, clocked 1,500 km to attend, while vendors across the capital sold T-shirts, caps, flags — and even alfajores pastries and dulce de leche jars stamped with Leo's face.

The visit lands as a homecoming of sorts for Argentina, honouring Leo's Argentine predecessor Francis, who never returned home after becoming pope. Leo grew emotional paying tribute to 'our beloved' Francis, and teacher Gonzalo Trejo said the pope is elevating the Church's social doctrine 'which Pope Francis championed.' It is the first papal trip to the country in decades.

Leo privately met five victims of clerical abuse, hearing each describe suffering at the hands of clergy or within Argentine church institutions. The audience followed criticism from a network of Argentine abuse survivors who say the Church has failed to deliver on its 'zero tolerance' promises. The Vatican said Leo voiced his 'commitment to strengthening measures for protection' and expressed closeness to victims he could not meet.

Earlier Monday he stopped at the Pequeno Cottolengo home for people with disabilities in the Claypole suburb, saying a nation's progress should be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable. The remarks hit a nerve in Argentina, where disability groups and church leaders have blasted the human toll of President Javier Milei's austerity drive. Resident Marta Torres, who is blind, has cerebral palsy and was abandoned by her mother as a child, told Leo the home helped her 'stop feeling rejected.' Leo said disabled people are 'not a burden on society' but 'a blessing.'

The 50-hectare Cottolengo complex, founded by an Italian saint, is one of Argentina's best-known Catholic charities and is described by the Vatican as a 'city of charity.' Leo also met business leaders, workers and unions furious over Milei's labour reforms limiting the right to strike, praising their 'indispensable' role when they 'defend those who have no voice.' Roughly 45 per cent of Argentine workers hold informal jobs with no pension contributions or formal protections. The Argentina leg is part of a 12-day tour through Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where Leo spent nearly two decades before his election.