Homily of the Holy Father

Impromptu Greeting of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV upon arriving at the Archbishop’s House (from the balcony of the Archbishop’s House, Cordoba)

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Homily of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

Peter's profession of faith, which resounds throughout history in his successors, reveals to us the mystery of God revealed in Christ for our salvation. This message of salvation remains vital today, upheld by the intercession of so many of our brothers and sisters in the faith, who accompany us today from heaven. It is not surprising that the land that now welcomes us has borne rich fruits of holiness. The example of those who have gone before us on this path continues to inspire us to follow in their footsteps and to give our lives as Christ gave his for us, just as they so faithfully imitated him.

The city of Córdoba, the natural heir to the first episcopal see established in Argentina, has indeed been a home of saints. Through its convents and churches, streets and hospitals passed men and women who, filled with love for Jesus, gave their lives for the Gospel. Argentina was home to men and women such as Father Brochero and Mama Antula, to name but two, who were called by the Lord and sent on mission, without even realizing how extraordinary their evangelizing work would be. Indeed, we too, like all Christians, are merely humble servants, and all we must do is fulfil our duty (cf. Lk 17:10).

It is, then, a joyful duty to fulfill the mission that the Lord entrusts to each of us. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, we are all called to holiness. This is our task here on earth: to attain perfect union with God.  Moreover, this calling is always missionary: we must make known to others the beauty that we have come to know in Christ (contemplata aliis tradere).  As Christians, we must “teach what is consistent with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). For this reason, I now make my own the exhortation of Saint Leo the Great, whose liturgical memorial we celebrate today and to whose protection I entrust myself: “Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning.  Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God” (Sermon 1, in Nativitate Domini, PL 54, 192-193).

There is no better way to teach than by setting an example with one’s own life, for “the world expects from us a lifelong commitment and a witness of prayer” (Saint John Paul II, Homily, “Vélez Sarsfield” Stadium in Buenos Aires, 10 April 1987). This demands unwavering, wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ. This is the example the saints have given us, and it is something that inspires us to live with hope, even amid difficulties.

Today, here in Córdoba, at the geographic heart of the country, we wish to give thanks to God for the diverse fruits of holiness borne by the men and women whom the Lord sent to this land of Argentina — whether they were born here or spent most of their lives here. Just as Córdoba’s mountains are renowned for the beauty and harmony of their varied shapes and colors, so too are the Saints and Blesseds characterized by the different charisms and missions they received. They offer a polyphonic witness to the universal call to holiness of every baptized person: the call to be conformed to Christ. These saints, marked by their Argentinian identity, embody the unity between a passion for the Gospel and a commitment to building a fraternal and compassionate homeland. All of them knew how to rise to the challenges of their time, transforming them into opportunities to proclaim the Good News — not theoretically, but by shaping their lives to become credible and effective witnesses to Christ’s love.

Let us begin by gratefully honoring the memory of Saint José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero. This priest was truly in love with the Lord and knew how to draw strength for his life from prayer. The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola changed his life forever and conformed him to Christ, making him a concrete example of what we prayed in the responsorial psalm: “Trust in the Lord, and do good” (Ps 37:3). Only those who have experienced friendship with Jesus Christ are capable of undertaking the task of evangelization; only those who know they are loved by the Lord are capable of extending his kingdom of charity and justice, devoting all their energies to proclaiming the Gospel, armed with nothing but the crucifix and the holy rosary.

Similarly inspired by Ignatian spirituality, Saint María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, later known as Mama Antula, knew how to combine contemplation with service to neighbor. She recognized that the greatest act of fraternal charity is to bring others closer to God. As my revered predecessor Pope Francis reminded us, the poor need God and people who express the power of Christian love in their lives (cf. Message for the Third World Day of the Poor, 13 June 2019, 8).  Following this same inspiration, Mama Antula tirelessly traveled the length and breadth of this country to show countless people the path to heaven.  Indeed, her guiding principle was to go wherever God was unknown, in order to make him known.

Two saints, two examples, two ways of identifying oneself with Christ, were inspired by the Lord himself in this region where we gather today to worship him.

Together with them, we also give thanks to God for the martyrs who confessed their faith even to the point of laying down their own lives.  Among them, we remember Saint Héctor Valdivielso Sáez and the Argentinian Blesseds who suffered martyrdom during the Spanish Civil War and in the Argentine provinces of La Rioja and Salta.

We thank the Lord for the gift he has given to the Church of shepherds after his own heart, such as Blessed Friar Mamerto Esquiú and Blessed Cardinal Eduardo Pironio.

We are particularly grateful for consecrated life, remembering the foundresses of religious congregations, such as Saint Nazaria Ignacia, Blessed María del Tránsito Cabanillas and Blessed Catalina de María Rodríguez. We also remember the many other religious women, such as Blessed María Ludovica de Angelis and Blessed Crescencia Pérez, who, moved by ardent charity, dedicated their lives to the education of children and the care of the sick.

Lastly, the faithful People of God rejoice in the laypeople who, having received the proclamation of the Gospel, lived out their baptismal vocation to the fullest, loving God and their brothers and sisters in the simplicity of daily life. Among them are Saint Artémides Zatti, Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá and Blessed Laura Vicuña.

Dear brothers and sisters, these Saints and Blesseds have already fulfilled their mission on earth. Today, it is our turn to follow the radiant example of holiness they have left with us. We celebrate this Holy Mass for the sanctification of the people of Argentina, for the sanctification of all of you. Open your hearts, and with God’s grace, go forth and be holy (cf. 1 Thess 4:3): at school and in the town square, in family life and with friends, in the countryside and in the city, on the farm and in the office. Go and evangelize!

Presiding over this celebration is the image of the poor Christ. Father Brochero himself had it carved while lying on his sickbed, and the features of the people of this land are artistically reflected in Christ’s face. Let his gaze challenge us, for in the shadow of his cross, we will find salvation and life, and the path to our own sanctification. Through the intercession of Saint Leo the Great, I ask God to continue to bless us and to give us the grace to always proclaim: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).

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Impromptu Greeting of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV upon arriving at the Archbishop’s House (from the balcony of the Archbishop’s House, Cordoba)

Greetings to everyone!

On this feast day, let us give thanks to God for the gift of faith and for the gift of being able to share it in this way. Look how many people have come out into the streets!

Thank you for welcoming me and for this greeting. Above all, let us give thanks to God for the gift of life, for the gift of this enthusiasm and especially for the enthusiasm of the young people!  Where are all of the young people?

Let us give thanks for the gift of being united. We are all united, and we must always remain convinced of that. When we are united, we can achieve anything.  God is close to you and he will always be with you.

Keep on living your faith. May God bless Cordoba!

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down upon all of you.

Thank you very much. Long live Christ!