Argentina: Over 2 million faithful bid farewell to Pope Leo XIV at his final mass

More than 2 million people gathered on Wednesday in the Argentine town of Luján to participate in Pope Leo XIV's mass before his departure for Peru, according to figures released by authorities and reported by Reuters.

The celebration took place in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, located about 50 miles from Buenos Aires and considered one of the country's main Catholic pilgrimage sites.

Before the mass, the American pope visited a prison complex in Buenos Aires, where he encouraged inmates to rebuild their lives and emphasized the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, according to The Associated Press.

World

'Do not bow down before that which cannot give you life': Pope Leo XIV's message to more than one million young people in Argentina

Joaquín Núñez

Le0 XIV's visit, the first by a pope to Argentina in 39 years, drew millions of faithful in various cities. On Monday, approximately 2.5 million people attended his mass in Buenos Aires, while on Tuesday some 650,000 participated in a celebration in Córdoba, and about 1 million attended a youth vigil in the capital.

During his stay, the pope also addressed social and economic issues. He called to protect workers, people with disabilities and the neediest families, which some analysts interpreted as criticism of the cuts to social spending pushed by the government of President Javier Milei.

Leo XIV will continue his South American tour in Peru, where he served for more than two decades as a missionary and bishop. The trip, which began in Uruguay and will conclude on Nov. 17, marks his first tour of South America since his election as pope.

The visit is also taking place just a few weeks after he underwent surgery for cancer. The Vatican confirmed on Oct. 26 that his recovery was progressing well and that doctors had authorized the trip.