Pope invites Argentina to reconciliation, enlightenment, communion, mission
By Christopher Wells
In his final Mass in Argentina, Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to undertake a journey of “reconciliation, enlightenment through the word of God, communion, and being sent forth on mission,” mirroring the journey “we experience in the celebration of every Eucharist.”
The Holy Father began his homily by recalling the “richness” of the country, “not only in its geography, but also in its people,” especially in the “creativity, the spontaneity, and the life that overflows at every turn.”
Noting that the Mass was being celebrated in the Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Luján, the patroness of Argentina, Pope Leo also remembered Pope Francis, his predecessor, and his deep devotion to the Mother of God. Mary, he said, standing at the foot of the Cross, unites herself to the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and accompanies us on this journey.”
Reconciliation and enlightenment
The first step of the journey, reconciliation, calls us to “receive God’s grace and to undergo processes of forgiveness and reconciliation that renew peace, hope and charity within us.”
Recalling the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the Pope then invited the faithful, in the second stage of the journey, to be enlightened by the word of God, especially when we feel “tired, discouraged and disappointed.”
Communion and mission
After “reconciliation and enlightenment through the word of God,” Pope Leo continued, “we are called to communion.” He insisted that there is a place for everyone at the table of the Christ, especially those who are most in need.
“The diverse sensibilities present in the Church and the strong convictions that animate each person are a source of richness if they remain anchored in the certainty that unity is a gift received and a responsibility to be fulfilled,” he said, quoting from his own encyclical, Magnifica humanitas.
The final step in the journey is “sending forth on mission,” the Pope concluded. He called on the faithful to “go and proclaim… go and evangelize.” “Argentina, arise and walk!” he said, inviting them to do everything out of love.
Under the mantle of Our Lady of Luján
Pope Leo concluded his homily by entrusting himself and his apostolic mission to Our Lady of Luján. “Like millions of Argentines who come to your home to implore your maternal protection,” he said, “I too wish to take refuge under your mantle.”
And he asked the Blessed Mother to “guide and accompany the Argentine people on their journey” and to “help them to build bridges of charity and networks of solidarity; inspire in them the desire to continue along paths of reconciliation, communion and mission, illuminated by the word of your son Jesus Christ and firmly grounded in Him.”
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