By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Thank you for welcoming me with such affection. I have felt at home here.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this during his final greeting at the conclusion of the Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan, his final major appointment in Argentina before departing for Peru.
In his remarks, the Pope said he gives thanks to God “for all that I have experienced during my visit to this country, the birthplace of our beloved Pope Francis.”
He thanked everyone who worked to make the visit possible, including the civil and religious authorities, the organizers, collaborators and volunteers, as well as the many people, families and communities who took part in each of the events or followed them through the media.
“Thank you, Argentina, for welcoming me with open arms!”
The Holy Father went on to remember that the image of Our Lady of Lujan, “which accompanies us today, arrived in these lands on a cart and did not wish to continue its journey; it stayed here forever with you.”
With this observation, he told them that even if the Successor of Peter “must now continue his mission in other places, wherever the Lord sends him,” “he wants you to know that he carries each and every one of you in his heart.”
The Pope prayed that God may bless this land of the Immaculate Virgin, whose blue and white mantle has been reflected in the colours of the national flag, and that “the peoples of the north, with their hills and valleys; of the south, with their imposing glaciers; of the east, with their rivers and forests; and of the west, with their majestic mountain ranges, give glory to the Lord for the many gifts they have received and, in His name, go forth and proclaim the Gospel with joy and gratitude.”
“Let us remain united in Christ, praying for one another and entrusting ourselves to the maternal protection of Our Lady of Lujan,” Pope Leo said.
“Farewell, my beloved Argentina!” – Vatican News
