Pope Omits Angelelli in Córdoba Homily on Holiness

The Pope delivered a homily in Córdoba, Argentina, on November 10, 2026, focusing on the theme of holiness. During the address, he referenced several saints and blesseds but omitted any mention of Bishop Enrique Angelelli, who was born in Córdoba. The omission occurred despite the Pope having praised Angelelli alongside other Argentine bishops in Buenos Aires the previous day. The event took place approximately 650 kilometers from Buenos Aires. The atmosphere at the Mass was described as solemn yet tolerable, with attendees noting the quality of the stage setup, singing, and crowd engagement. The chosen theme for the papal encounter was sanctity, which the author suggests aligns with Córdoba’s historical association with saints. The liturgy coincided with the feast day of Saint Leo the Great, the patron saint of the current Pope, known for his diplomatic encounter with Attila the Hun. The Gospel reading featured a fragment of the dialogue between Jesus and Peter from the Book of Matthew. However, the author argues that the biblical text was largely ignored in favor of the thematic focus on holiness.

The Pope began his examples with Father Brochero, highlighting his evangelizing work, prayer life, and spiritual exercises. The author notes that the Pope did not mention Brochero’s advocacy for schools, roads, and railways, suggesting that social promotion was excluded from the narrative of evangelization. Next, the Pope referenced Mama Antula, emphasizing her spirituality. He then mentioned Héctor Valdivieso, noting his Argentine birth and early move to Spain. The Pope briefly acknowledged the beatified martyrs of the Spanish Civil War and the Argentine provinces of La Rioja and Salta. He expressed gratitude to God for pastors after His own heart. The homily continued with mentions of religious women and lay saints. The Pope concluded by inviting all Christians to pursue holiness. The author finds it notable that the Pope named some lesser-known saints while omitting the martyrs of La Rioja. The author criticizes the perceived domestication or pasteurization of saints and even Jesus. A specific example cited is the depiction of Brochero on his mule Malacara, where the mule’s pipe was removed for beatification purposes, and now Brochero’s social work is omitted.