Pope Leo XIV asked Argentina’s bishops to direct the Church’s work toward people facing hardship and deepen cooperation among local churches, linking their shared mission to urgent social needs.
The appeal came Monday, Nov. 9, during Vespers with bishops and synodal teams at Buenos Aires’ Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. In his homily, Leo described the country’s local churches as different in tradition and pastoral approach but united by a common faith and mission. He urged bishops to build closer working relationships across those differences.
Leo identified poverty, unemployment and a lack of decent housing as hardships requiring the Church’s attention. He also singled out young people forced to emigrate, neglected older people and marginalized communities. These concerns shaped his appeal for pastoral work attentive to people across the country facing different forms of hardship.
He outlined responsibilities within church communities as well. Bishops should walk alongside families, encourage priestly and religious vocations, and provide ongoing formation for pastoral workers. Leo summarized his message with an appeal: “Rejoice in whatever promotes the life of your people.”
The pope named Blessed Mamerto Esquiú, Enrique Angelelli and Eduardo Pironio as Argentine bishops associated with work for unity and peace. He also pointed his audience to the Aparecida Document, recalling Pope Francis’ reflections on bishops and pilgrims at Brazil’s Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. Leo urged the Argentine bishops to keep drawing on the document.
Before the service, Leo paused in the Blessed Sacrament chapel and laid flowers with children at a plaque commemorating Francis. The Vatican event notice recorded the chapel visit and tribute. Francis led the Buenos Aires archdiocese before becoming pope.
Leo’s next listed stop is Córdoba. The Vatican itinerary schedules a Mass there Tuesday, Nov. 10, followed by a meeting with bishops, clergy and pastoral workers.
