Pope Leo exhorts in Luján to paint each day “with the color of hope”

In his last large public appearance in Argentina, Leo XIV The Pope once again basked in the adulation of the masses at the Mass celebrated in the square of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, before nearly two million faithful, according to Vatican News. The Holy Father delivered a message of hope and joy to the faithful.

The Pope's arrival at the iconic basilica, which is the national Marian shrine, was apotheosis, with a sea of excited faithful waving flags and cheering, a constant that has marked his stay in South America, and specifically, in Argentina.

The Pope expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received in a country that had not received a Pope visit for almost forty years: since John Paul II.

In his homily at the massive Eucharist, he stated: “During these days I was able to see the richness of Argentina, not only in its geography but also in its people, in each of the encounters, in the squares and in the streets, in the creativity, in the spontaneity and in the life that overflows at every step.”.

In memory of Pope Francis

His remarks also included a tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, in the land of his birth. He noted that Jorge Mario Bergoglio “always carried the ‘Dark-Skinned Patron Saint’ in his heart. He taught us through his life, and continues to teach us from the place he chose to be buried, so close to Santa María, to always love and venerate her.”.

Leo XIV proposed to the faithful “an itinerary, which is the same one we experience in the celebration of each Eucharist. It consists of four steps: reconciliation, enlightenment through the Word of God, communion, and sending forth on mission.”.

The Holy Father affirmed: “Just as Mary, in that terrible moment of her life [at the foot of the Cross], received from her Son a new mission, welcoming all humanity into her motherly heart, we too are called to receive God’s grace and to live processes of forgiveness and reconciliation, which renew within us peace, hope, and charity.” “We also need to reconcile ourselves with our history and our present, in order to create a new future where love has the final word.”.

With eyes of heaven

He emphasized that “it is not about doing great things, but about remaining faithful to the Lord, as His Mother was, both in times of suffering, as in times of joy, glory and light.”.

“It is about,” he added, in a reference reminiscent of the song ”From the 2001 song by Argentine singer Diego Torres—to look at life with heavenly eyes and to paint each of our days with the color of hope.“ He warned: ”There are many difficulties, we know, but the Lord also inspires heroic acts of charity in our faithful people, like that of the father who gets up early every day to bring bread home, like the mother who accompanies her sick child during long nights in the hospital, like the good friend who shares his time with someone in need.”.

Farewell

At the end of the homily, he addressed the Virgin of Luján: “Like millions of Argentinians who come to your house to beg for your maternal protection, I too want to take refuge under your mantle. Guide me, Mother, in the apostolic mission that the Lord has entrusted to me. And guide and accompany the Argentinian people on their pilgrimage.”.

His final words at the end of the celebration were to thank the Argentine people: “The image of Our Lady of Luján that accompanies us today arrived in these lands in a cart and did not wish to continue its journey; it stayed with you forever. The Successor of Peter must now continue his mission in other places, wherever the Lord sends him, but he wants to tell you that he carries you all in his heart.”.

In a poetic way, he added: “May the peoples of the north with their hills and valleys, of the south with their imposing glaciers, of the east with their rivers and jungles, and of the west with their majestic mountain ranges, give glory to the Lord for so many gifts received and, in his name, go and proclaim the Gospel with joy and gratitude.”.

“Thank you for welcoming me with such affection, I felt right at home. Goodbye, my dear Argentina!” she concluded.