Pope pays tribute to Argentina’s heritage, calls on leaders to serve the common good

November 10, 2026

Citing social encyclicals of five of his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV called on Argentina’s leaders to seek the common good as he paid tribute to the nation’s cultural heritage and discussed the Church’s mission.

Pope Leo delivered his address to authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps (video) on the evening of November 8, the third day of his apostolic journey to three South American nations (program). The address took place in Libertad Palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital.

The Pope described democracy as a “part of Argentina’s heritage that needs to be safeguarded. The freedom to elect one’s own leaders through the ballot box, to participate in public life, freely to express one’s convictions, to have confidence in the law, and to view institutions as serving the interests of all parties: these are values that are consolidated over time and that each generation is called to care for and strengthen.”

“Those entrusted with public office are charged with a particularly demanding task,” he continued. “Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service, when it looks beyond the immediate, and when it uses its power to promote the welfare of all. Those who exercise authority have a duty to act with prudence, to acknowledge the limits of the power entrusted to them, and to direct their decisions toward the good of the entire community.”

Pope Leo highlighted the importance of work, education, the protection of the lives of the unborn and the elderly, care for creation, and peace.

The Pope added that “the Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to this shared spirit of responsibility.”

“For centuries, the Church has walked alongside the peoples of the continent, proclaiming the Gospel and celebrating the faith, educating, caring for the sick, standing with the poor, supporting families, and promoting peace and reconciliation,” he explained, adding:

That mission is rooted in the love of Christ, who shed his blood for all. It continues today in parishes and communities that are called to keep their doors always open, so that every person may find there a warm welcome and a sense of closeness. “Welcome everyone” (cf. Mt 22:9-10) expresses, in a few words, the universal invitation of the Gospel, which reaches every person and calls them to an encounter with Christ and to conversion. This welcome also gives rise to the Church’s mission: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news” (cf. Mk 16:15). Obedience to that command continues to bear fruit in schools and universities, in social initiatives, and in the daily witness of all those men and women who place their faith at the service of others.

The Pontiff concluded his address by invoking Our Lady of Luján, the nation’s patroness.

“May she continue to watch over this land, care for each of its children, and keep them always close to Jesus,” he said. “May God bless Argentina and all its people. Thank you very much.”

Following the address, Pope Leo traveled to the apostolic nunciature, where he met with confrères from the Order of Saint Augustine and spent the night.

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic Journey to Argentina: Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/8/26)
• Welcome Ceremony, Visit to the President of the Republic, Meeting with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps in the “Palacio Libertad, Centro Cultural Domingo Faustino Sarmiento” (Holy See Press Office, 11/8/26)
• Pope Leo urges Argentina’s leaders to put common good before political interests (Vatican News, 11/8/26)