Leo XIV draws some 650,000 to Córdoba with a homily on holiness

Pope Leo XIV addressed a congregation of approximately 650,000 individuals during a Mass in Córdoba, Argentina on Tuesday, according to El País. The pontiff spoke about the importance of holiness and local saints, encouraging attendees to practice their faith in their daily lives. The Pope departed from Buenos Aires early Tuesday morning, arriving in Córdoba roughly 1.5 hours later.

The Mass took place at the grounds of the Argentine Aircraft Factory, which covers over 200 hectares and featured 50 large screens. Many pilgrims traveled from various regions, some walking early in the morning and camping out the night before. Notable attendees included 28 altar boys from a parish in Jujuy, who raised funds for their trip by selling food and hosting a pet show.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the lives of local saints such as Father Brochero and Mama Antula, as well as Córdoba's religious history, which dates back to the arrival of Jesuits in the 16th century. The Jesuit Block in the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Following the Mass, the Pope privately received a group of about 20 people who had endured social struggles, including Alba Camargo, who was abducted during the 1976-1983 dictatorship and lost relatives to forced disappearances.

Camargo requested that the Pope name those who disappeared and urged those with information on these crimes, including clergy members, to come forward. The Vatican has not disclosed details regarding this meeting.

Later in the day, Pope Leo XIV greeted crowds from the balcony of the Archbishopric, the same location where John Paul II addressed a crowd in 1987. He also met with members of religious orders at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Pope emphasized the significance of self-giving in priestly and consecrated life, stating that "there are stages in priestly and consecrated life in which remaining is already a very concrete form of self-giving."

Attendance at the Córdoba Mass was lower than the estimated 2.5 million people in Buenos Aires and the anticipated 1 million in the province. On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his final Mass in Argentina in Luján, Buenos Aires province, before traveling to Peru for a reception from President Keiko Fujimori.