Pope Leo XIV in Córdoba: "Today is a day of celebration". Then the vigil in Buenos Aires. PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV's journey continues today in Córdoba. He was welcomed in the area of ​​the Fadea aeronautical factory by a crowd of faithful who had already arrived during the night to attend the celebration. In the Argentine city the Pope celebrated mass, which was then followed by some meetings with the local clergy.

After the mass Leo XIV met bishops, priests and religious. Once the appointments in the Argentine city are concluded, the Pontiff will return to Buenos Aires. Here, at 8.15pm local time, a prayer vigil with young people is scheduled at the Monumento de los Españoles. The meeting in the capital will close a day marked by liturgical celebrations and moments of discussion with the Catholic community.

According to the estimate of the local authorities, released by the Vatican press office, there were 650 thousand faithful present at Pope Leo's mass on the esplanade of the Military Aviation School of Cordoba.

In the homily celebrated at the military airport of Córdoba, Pope Leo XIV recalled Bergoglio's words: "The poor need God and people who express with their lives the strength of Christian love". Also quoting John Paul II, the Pontiff invited the faithful to bear witness to the faith through example in everyday life. Remembering the Argentine saints Cura Brochero and Mama Antula, Prevost urged everyone to holiness: "Open your hearts. Go and bring the Gospel".

The mention of Bergoglio is not accidental: the future pontiff studied here between 1958 and 1960 and returned between 1990 and 1992, when he was effectively exiled by the Jesuits after having held important positions. Bergoglio defined that period, one year, ten months and thirteen days long, "very long and dark". Later, however, he spoke of an "exile as punishment", but recognized that that experience had also been an "inner purification".

The crowd for Leo XIV then continued: after the mass, numerous people continued to wait for the Pontiff along the streets crossed by the papal procession. The enthusiasm did not end with the celebration: many also gathered in front of the archbishop's palace, where the Pope stopped for lunch.

It was precisely the crowding in front of the archbishop's seat that pushed Leo XIV to appear from the balcony of the palace and address a short message of thanks to the numerous people gathered in the street. "United we can achieve anything. This is a day of celebration. We must give thanks to God. Look at how many people took to the streets. Thank you for welcoming me", declared the Pope.

The papal speech from the balcony of the palace in Cordoba was not the first: Pope John Paul II had already done so in 1987, during his apostolic trip to Argentina.

Numerous faithful awaited the exit of Pope Leo The Pope then headed towards the square in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, where a meeting with the local religious community is scheduled.

During his visit to Córdoba, Pope Leo The craftsman belongs to the original people of the Comechingones. The gift was commissioned by provincial governor Martín Llaryora several months ago.