In Argentina, Pope Leo highlights social problems

The Pope opened by stating that he had come to Argentina “as a pastor”, but that the Church wishes “to propose to those who hold public office a message inspired by the Gospel and aimed at safeguarding the dignity of every person, civic concord and the common good”.

Pope Leo highlighted several widespread social problems, including public safety.

“Organised crime, human trafficking networks, arms and drug trafficking together with corruption all undermine social cohesion, fuel violence and divert resources necessary for the common good,” the Pope said.

Addressing the question of inequality, the Pope said that efforts should be made to ensure “that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged”, and he pointed to the plight of young people driven to emigrate in search of opportunities.

He also addressed what he described as a threat to democracy from political polarisation, a widely noted trend in Latin America and beyond.

Pope Leo opened his speech by recalling his predecessor, saying the universal Church had “listened to the voice of an Argentinian Pope” for years.

The Pope also urged the country’s leaders to make room for the unborn.

Speaking before Pope Leo, Mr Milei lauded the late Pontiff as “an exceptional figure who inspired us all with his humanity, regardless of our creed. A person of immense generosity, whom I had the honour of knowing personally”.

The audience of foreign diplomats and Argentine civil and political leaders frequently interrupted Pope Leo’s speech with vigorous applause and cheering reminiscent of a parliament or a political convention.

Among the many engagements in the Pope’s previous stop in Uruguay from November 6-8 was a visit to the social community of Casavalle at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Montevideo, where the Holy Father insisted that, “in a country as rich in resources as this, children should never have to go to bed hungry or be denied the chance of a decent education and a dignified future because of the insecurity that reigns in the streets. Much less should they have to suffer violence to the point of losing their lives.”

Pope Leo, 71, appeared in fine form at his events in Uruguay, singing loudly, bounding up stairs and gamely greeting the crowds in his popemobile, just weeks after having surgery to treat lung adenocarcinoma. He has not cut any events short, including those that have kept him out until past midnight Rome time, the Associated Press reported.

At a Mass on November 8, Pope renewed the Uruguay’s consecration to the Virgin Mary before departing for Argentina.

FULL STORY

In Argentina, Pope Leo XIV highlights social problems (By Francis X. Rocca/EWTN News)

Pope in Uruguay: ‘We cannot turn a blind eye in the face of injustice’ (Vatican News)

Pope wraps up Uruguay visit and heads to most fraught stop of his tour in Milei’s Argentina (Associated Press/Crux Now)

Pope re-consecrates Uruguay to Mary on its patroness’ feast day (Vatican News)

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