Photos: Crowds greet Pope Leo in Argentina after 40-year wait

Pope Leo XIV has urged Argentinians to follow the “holy example” of the country’s saints and build a more “fraternal and caring nation”, as an estimated 650,000 people packed the central city of Cordoba for Mass. The 71-year-old pontiff, on a 12‑day Latin America tour less than a month after lung cancer surgery, on Tuesday celebrated the liturgy on the esplanade of a military aircraft factory.

The Vatican said it was attended by 650,000 pilgrims, following Monday’s Mass in Buenos Aires, where about 2.5 million worshippers gathered – the largest of his pontificate so far. Faithful travelled from across the country after nearly 40 years without a papal visit.

“It was quite a journey,” said Erika Vinales, who travelled 2,000km (1,242 miles) from Patagonia with fellow teacher Elena Llanquenao. Throughout his three days in Argentina, Leo has repeatedly challenged President Javier Milei’s right-wing government to make the economy more inclusive, protect trade unions and reverse funding cuts that hurt the poor and people with disabilities.