Leo XIV: “Do not resign yourselves to the voices that repeat that the Christian family is outdated”

The Monument to the Spanish, in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, hosted the first Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in Argentina on Monday, before 2.5 million faithful. Among those in attendance were President Javier Milei and his cabinet, and the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macri. In his homily, the Pope focused on the family, which he said can become “a seed of authentic renewal for this country.”.

The Pope arrived from the Little Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, where the day began, and before the Mass, he traveled in the popemobile along Libertador Avenue among the faithful, who greeted him with shouts of “Long live Pope Leo XIV!” The Mass coincided with the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope's cathedral as Bishop of Rome, known as the “Mother of all Churches,” and the homily focused on the image of the temple.

“Where there was death, now there is life”

Based on the day's Gospel reading, in which Jesus drives the merchants from the temple, Leo XIV warned against an ancient temptation: “Humanity has always been tempted to bargain with God. It is the pagan logic of ‘giving to receive.’” In contrast, he reminded us that God is a Father “always ready to give us every good thing.”.

Drawing on the vision of the prophet Ezekiel, in which a river flows from the temple and heals the waters of the Dead Sea, the Pope spoke of God's action in the midst of difficulties: “Where there was death, now there is life; where there was sickness, now there is health; where there was barrenness, now there is fruitfulness.” The Pope acknowledged that families also face complex situations, such as instability, precarious employment, domestic violence, painful separations, and “addictions that destroy the future of young people.” In the midst of all this, he affirmed, the Word of God “shines for us with hope.”.

The family, “a pillar”

The second part of the homily was entirely dedicated to the family, in which, according to the Pope, Argentine society has always found the source of its fundamental values: faith, a culture of work, respect for elders, the defense of life, and fidelity to one's word. For this reason, he asked those present not to be swayed by those who consider the family obsolete: “Do not resign yourselves to the voices that repeat that the Christian family is outdated; on the contrary, today more than ever it represents a pillar amidst the many hardships of our time.”.

The Pope also asked parents to speak “naturally about Jesus to their children” and reminded them that faith is transmitted at home through simple gestures, such as blessing the table, praying before bed, grandparents teaching children to pray, and Sunday Mass. He also quoted Pope Francis, “who was bishop of this city,” and his exhortation Amoris laetitia, Before addressing the families, he said: “Dear families, I urge you to be active participants in evangelization! The Church in Argentina needs you.” Finally, he entrusted all families to Our Lady of Luján and Saint Joseph.

A balm for the wounds

At the end of the celebration, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva, thanked the Pope for his message, which he described as “a balm for the wounds of Argentine families,” among which he mentioned economic problems, youth addiction, and the loneliness of the elderly. Among the gifts was a commemorative medal of the trip, which brings together, around the Sun of May, the Virgin of Luján, the Virgin of the Thirty-Three, and the Lord of Miracles, as a symbol of the three countries he visited.

The day continues this afternoon in Buenos Aires with a meeting with the world of work at the Catholic University of Argentina, a meeting with leaders of other Christian denominations and religions at the San Martín Palace and, later in the evening, the recitation of Vespers with the Argentine bishops at the metropolitan cathedral.