World Church · November 1, 2026
Also published in Nederlands
Pope Leo XIV to Visit Basilica of Our Lady of Luján
Pope Leo XIV will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján on November 11 as part of his sixth apostolic journey to Latin America.
Jorge Eduardo Scheinig, the Archbishop of Mercedes Luján, stated that the Argentine people are preparing to welcome the Pope with open arms and hearts. He noted that the intense relationship Argentina had with Pope Francis, who shared the same nationality, has made the people very open toward Pope Leo. The Archbishop believes the presence of the Pope will renew friendship, communion, and closeness.
The visit will take place at the Basilica, which was completed in 1937 based on a design by the French architect Courtois. The site houses a 38 centimeter statue of Our Lady of Luján, the patroness of Argentina, which has been venerated for nearly 400 years. Archbishop Scheinig described the image as small but possessing a powerful presence, noting that the Virgin is characterized by a silence similar to that of the Mother of the Lord in the Gospel.
Preparations are currently underway at Plaza Belgrano, located in front of the Basilica. The area is accustomed to large crowds, as a youth pilgrimage on October 3 and 4 saw the participation of approximately 2.5 million young people. The Archbishop emphasized that the site promotes a pastoral approach to hospitality to ensure every visitor feels welcomed.
Regarding the faith of the population, Archbishop Scheinig addressed statistics showing a decline in Catholic presence between 2008 and 2019, falling from 76.5 percent to 62.9 percent. He argued that while adherence to the ecclesiastical institution may be decreasing, faith in Jesus and the Virgin remains strong, describing the Argentine people as believers who continue to seek.