SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Pope Leo XIV has attracted an estimated 650,000 worshippers to an open-air Mass in Córdoba, Argentina, in another major show of public support during his 12-day tour of South America.
The massive gathering took place on Thursday, November 12, at an Argentine military airfield, where thousands of pilgrims travelled from different parts of the country to see the pontiff. Many waved Vatican flags and chanted messages of affection as the Pope arrived in an open-top popemobile.
The turnout marks the second major crowd mobilization of the visit, following Monday’s Mass in Buenos Aires, which reportedly attracted approximately 2.5 million people, making it the largest gathering of Leo’s 18-month papacy so far.
During his sermon in Córdoba, Leo celebrated Argentina’s deep Catholic roots, highlighting the lives of religious figures who had made significant contributions to the country’s spiritual history.
He specifically referenced Mama Antula, Argentina’s first female saint, and two priests and a layman who were killed during the country’s military dictatorship in 1976.
The Pope described their lives and sacrifices as important examples of faith and holiness, using their stories to remind worshippers of the enduring importance of compassion, courage, and religious devotion.
Leo’s visit is particularly significant because he is the first pope to visit Catholic-majority Argentina since 1987. The country also has a personal connection to the pontiff, who spent decades as a missionary in Peru before becoming head of the Catholic Church.
Beyond the religious celebrations, however, the visit carries considerable social and political significance.
The Catholic Church has been losing followers in parts of Latin America to rapidly growing evangelical denominations, making the Pope’s ability to attract enormous crowds an important demonstration of its continuing influence in the region.
Leo has also emerged as an outspoken critic of economic policies that place additional pressure on vulnerable communities.
In Argentina, he has expressed concern over President Javier Milei’s austerity program, which has involved substantial government spending cuts aimed at controlling inflation.
On Sunday, the pontiff urged Milei not to neglect the country’s poorest citizens as the government pursues its economic reforms.
His position has received support from some local church leaders and worshippers who believe the government must consider the human consequences of its policies.
For 21-year-old student Valentin Gomez, who attended the Córdoba Mass, the Pope’s emphasis on helping the vulnerable makes his leadership particularly important during difficult economic times.
The visit will continue with stops in Uruguay and Peru before concluding on November 17.
For Leo, the South American tour is more than a homecoming. It is an opportunity to reconnect with a region central to Catholic identity while reinforcing the Church’s message of faith, social responsibility, and concern for the poor.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
