Church and state have finalised preparations for Pope Leo XIV’s historic visit to Argentina, which begins this Sunday, November 8, marking the first papal visit to the country in 39 years.
The last pontiff to visit the nation was John Paul II, who travelled to Argentina in April 1987, five years after his 1982 trip during the Malvinas/Falklands War.
Leo’s visit carries additional significance as his predecessor, Pope Francis, was born in Buenos Aires but never returned to his homeland during his 12 years as head of the Catholic Church.
The current pontiff will arrive in the capital on a flight from Uruguay, the first stop on his South American tour. After Argentina, he will visit Peru, where he spent much of his missionary career and served as Bishop of Chiclayo.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno chaired a meeting with the Vatican’s advance team at the Palacio San Martín to fine-tune arrangements covering security, transport, communications and the papal itinerary.
The Church was represented by Monsignors Raúl Pizarro and Jorge García Cuerva (the Archbishop of Buenos Aires) and Fathers Matías Taricco, Facundo Fernández and Máximo Jurcinovic, together with the officials responsible for Events, Liturgy and Volunteers: Pedro Inzaurraga, Rodrigo Martínez and Federico Desteffaniz, respectively.
“Very happy, very much looking forward to this visit,” Quirno told reporters after the meeting, assuring them that the Vatican had not requested any changes to the schedule.
“The only thing that happened was confirmation of the agenda as originally scheduled,” he said, addressing questions prompted by the Pope’s recent surgery.
On October 13, Leo underwent an operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung after identifying a cancerous tumour.
The procedure was successful and without complications. Subsequent examinations confirmed that no further treatment was necessary. The Vatican has since cleared him to undertake the Latin American tour as planned.
Key details
Two nationwide television broadcasts have been confirmed for the papal visit. The first will cover Leo’s meeting with President Javier Milei at the Palacio Libertad at 6.30pm on Sunday. The second will transmit the Pope’s Mass at 11.30am on Monday along Avenida Libertador, in front of the Monumento de los Españoles in Palermo.
President Javier Milei will welcome Leo XIV upon his arrival at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires City, before hosting him for a private meeting at the Casa Rosada presidential palace. The President will also attend the Pope's Mass in Palermo on Monday.
Later on Sunday, Milei will host a reception at the Palacio Libertad, officially titled the “Meeting of the Holy Father Leo XIV with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.”
In a move intended to highlight the Church's message of unity, the President has extended invitations to all national deputies and senators, regardless of their political affiliation, as well as the country's 23 provincial governors, Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri, Supreme Court justices and Vice-President Victoria Villarruel, with whom he has long been estranged.
The guest list also includes foreign ambassadors, military and security chiefs, university rectors, business chamber leaders and trade union representatives.
Former presidents, however, have not been included.
Villarruel's presence is noteworthy given her long-running tensions with Milei. She was initially left off the invitation list and was only included after requesting a private audience with the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature, according to reports. Her invitation covers both Sunday's reception and Monday's Mass.
Asked whether the Pope might use the occasion to deliver a speech critical of the government, Quirno replied: “There is absolutely no worry.”
“What the Pope has to say, he will say, and that's perfectly fine,” he told reporters on Monday.
A more unusual detail concerns the dress code, drawn up according to Vatican protocol: men have been asked to wear dark suits and ties, while women are expected to wear dark clothing covering their backs and arms.
During his stay, the Pope will also visit the Cottolengo Don Orione home for orphans and people with disabilities, a penitentiary and the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), where he will meet representatives of workers’ organisations.
He will also lead religious celebrations in Córdoba and Luján before continuing his South American tour in Peru.
The papal visit will require a major transport and security operation, with additional bus and train services, overnight trains and extended schedules across Buenos Aires and beyond, despite the public holidays.
The government has provided the Argentine Synod with 24,000 free SUBE travel cards for volunteers, covering buses, trains and underground services throughout the visit. Around 4,000 volunteers will also be transported by bus from Buenos Aires to Luján for the papal celebrations.
Temporary restrictions at railway stations and airports are expected as part of the security arrangements.
Planning on attending? What may not be brought to the public Mass in the City
For those wishing to attend Monday’s Mass on Avenida Libertador, organisers have released the following list of prohibited items:
– Weapons, sharp objects, fireworks and alcoholic drinks
– Glass containers
– Suitcases, big bags and backpacks with over 15 litres capacity
– Bicycles, scooters, roller-skates and helmets
– Drones, computers, walkie-talkies, laser pointers and detachable photographic equipment of over 20 centimetres
– Tents, parasols and stick umbrellas
– Megaphones, flagpoles and candles
– Pets.
Comfortable clothing is recommended for attendance with water in a plastic bottle and protection from the sun.
The papal schedule
Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP), Buenos Aires
Wreath-laying, General San Martín Monument
Reception & Meeting with President Javier Milei
Address to Civil Society & Diplomatic Corps
Federal Correctional Complex, Buenos Aires
Plaza outside Basilica of Our Lady of Luján