Argentina prays for Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in history

A woman prays at the Rosario church in Carlos Mugica neighborhood, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman holds a rosary during a Mass for Pope Francis’ health at the Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A man bows his head on a pew at San José de Flores basilica, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Pope Francis worshipped as a youth, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Among them was Catholic priest Lorenzo de Vedia, who said Francis was the “pope who made the Church return to the gospel” in during an evening mass on Saturday in Buenos Aires.

“He has had the great ability to spread the dream of Jesus: that the Church is poor and made for the poor,” he said.

De Vedia was joined by many others who knew Francis and say the religious leader always put the church at the service of the most vulnerable.

Believers take communion during a Mass for Pope Francis’ health at Caacupe church in the Carlos Mugica neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Masses for Francis’ health were held throughout the South American country on Sunday. On Monday, a large Mass is planned at the capital’s Plaza Constitución, another of the sites where the pope, whose secular name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, once mingled in the streets with people affected by Argentina’s ongoing economic crisis.

Some of the region’s leaders also sent message to Francis. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called him “a true friend, one of those who fight all their lives.”

Francis thanked the well-wishers in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.

“I have recently received many messages of affection and I have been especially struck by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for your closeness and for the consoling prayers I have received from all over the world!” he wrote.

Priest Agustin Lopez leads a Mass for the health of Pope Francis at Caacupe church in the Carlos Mugica neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Faithful pray for the health of Pope Francis at Caacupe church in the Carlos Mugica neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A candle glimmers alongside a painting of Pope Francis at San José de Flores basilica, Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he worshipped as a youth, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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Publish date : 2025-02-24 00:26:00

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