The faithful of the parish of Bergoglio are preparing to welcome Leone
The faithful of the basilica of San José de Flores welcome the Pontiff with enthusiasm, hoping for a message of unity and social justice
Quick Look
The faithful of the parish of San José de Flores in Buenos Aires enthusiastically await the arrival of Leo XIV, seeing in him continuity with the message of Pope Francis and hoping for a call for unity and social justice for the country.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The basilica of San José de Flores is the parish where Jorge Bergoglio grew up. Leo XIV is visiting Argentina for a series of celebrations.
In the basilica of San José de Flores - Jorge Bergoglio's childhood parish located in the neighborhood of the same name on the outskirts of Buenos Aires - the faithful are ready to welcome the arrival of Leo XIV today in Argentina with the same enthusiasm with which they would have received their Pope, Francis.
"Leone is here to complete what Francis was unable to achieve, we welcome him aware that there is a process of continuity. We are truly happy to welcome the Pope, and we do so with great joy", the parish priest of the Church, Martin Bourdieau, told ANSA at the end of the first mass on Sunday morning.
"The Pope comes with a message of unity for all Argentinians, having the Pope himself speak to us about this belief will do us a lot of good. We hope to be able to heal some wounds", then observed the priest who at the end of the mass instructed the faithful on how to reach the place of the Pope's first mass in Buenos Aires, scheduled for Monday morning at the 'Monument to the Spanish', in the Palermo district.
The fact that there is no Francis in Buenos Aires does not diminish the enthusiasm of the faithful for a Pontiff who they believe is coming to bring the same message. "Unfortunately Francis couldn't come, we would have liked to, but Peter's successor is coming anyway, we are happy", says Julia as he leaves the mass. She is retired, assists the parish priest in communion and is a volunteer in a hospice and believes that "Leone is going in the same direction as Francesco, so we are happy".
"I'm retired and I have to work because it's not enough for me, many pensioners have to continue working" underlines Marta, who also assists the parish priest at mass. "Inequality has always been there but now it is accentuated, more must be done", she adds, also expressing the hope that the Pope's message on social justice can bring about an improvement. "We want people to have something to eat, that basic needs are covered, this should be the desire of every Christian, we don't want to become millionaires."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Pope's first mass in Buenos Aires at the Monument to the Spanish
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What will be the specific contents of Leo XIV's message?
