Proclaim Christ and learn from the Virgin Mary’s example, Pope tells Argentina’s bishops

November 11, 2026

Pope Leo XIV encouraged Argentina’s bishops to place the proclamation of Jesus Christ at the center of their pastoral work and to learn from the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Pontiff made his remarks during his homily at the celebration of Vespers (video) in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on November 9, the fourth day of his apostolic journey to three South American nations (program). Before celebrating Vespers, Pope Leo made a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and laid flowers beneath a plaque commemorating Pope Francis, who was archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013.

At the beginning of his homily, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Argentine Marian devotion and linked it to evangelization.

“Amid [Argentina’s] geographic and cultural diversity, we find a maternal presence that accompanies its inhabitants and toward whom the people express their affection through processions and pilgrimages, on journeys of faith and promises made, traveled on foot or on horseback, as well as in poems, prayers and songs that rise up in honor of her name,” Pope Leo preached. “I am speaking of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, whom this people venerates under various titles: the Most Holy Virgin of the Miracle, Our Lady of the Valley, the Virgin of the Rosary, Mary of Itatí and Our Lady of Luján.”

“She, who remained united with the apostles in prayer, also accompanies the Church today that proclaims her Son,” he continued. “In every corner of this Marian land, from the largest cities to the smallest villages, there are brothers and sisters waiting to hear the Good News of the Gospel. That is why the motto of this Apostolic Journey takes on special meaning: Everyone is welcome. Go and proclaim!”

Highlighting the centrality of evangelization, Pope Leo said, “Dear Bishops, as I recently wrote to you, ‘amidst the many duties that fill our day, we have been sent to proclaim the Good News.’“.

“May the proclamation of Jesus Christ therefore remain at the center of all our pastoral work,” he added. “Let us continue to promote the formation of pastoral workers who are responsible for preliminary evangelization and catechesis, the liturgy and charitable works. We must work together to foster priestly and religious vocations, to accompany families and to care for those living in poverty, who are unemployed or who lack decent housing. ‘The love of Christ urges us on!’ (2 Cor 5:14).”

The Pope added:

The Church’s maternal concern finds a beautiful example in Mary, who at the wedding at Cana recognized the needs of that married couple and went to Jesus to bring them to his attention, then inviting the servants to obey his word. That same concern must be evident in the ministry of Pastors, who are called to discern human realities in the light of the Gospel, listening to and understanding the specific circumstances of those entrusted to them.

These include the unemployed, young people forced to emigrate, the elderly who have been neglected, and marginalized communities, as well as those who, even though their material needs have been met, experience a deep longing for God, for meaning and for hope. In situations that call for our help, there are many faces that challenge us and call us to share in the joys and sufferings of our people, inviting us to respond with the closeness and deeds demanded by the Gospel.

“Let us entrust to her [the Virgin Mary] our concerns and hopes, our ministry and our pastoral mission,” Pope Leo concluded. “Let us also ask her to intercede with her Son, as she did at the wedding at Cana, so that he may grant us what we need, especially the grace of constant conversion, which purifies our hearts and prepares us to share in the eternal joy of his kingdom. Amen.”

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic Journey to Argentina: Celebration of Vespers with the Argentine Episcopate and Synodal Teams (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/9/26)
• Celebration of Vespers with the Argentine Episcopate and the Synodal Teams in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Holy See Press Office, 11/9/26)
• Pope to Argentina’s Bishops: ‘Rejoice in whatever promotes people’s lives’ (Vatican News, 11/9/26)
• Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Pope Francis in Buenos Aires Cathedral (Vatican News, 11/9/26)