Pope Leo XIV arrived this Sunday in Argentina, from Uruguay, for an apostolic visit that will last until next Wednesday, the first by a pope to this country in almost 40 years.

On board an Aerolíneas Argentinas plane, the pontiff landed at 4:34 p.m. local time (7:34 p.m. GMT) at Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires, where he was received by Argentine President Javier Milei.

A military guard of honor waited for the pope to descend from the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which was emblazoned with the coat of arms of Leo XIV.

Eleven minutes after landing, Leo XIV appeared and waved with his right arm raised, after which he descended the stairs and shook hands with Milei.

Then, a military fanfare played the Argentine anthem and a pontifical march, and the pope greeted the president’s sister and general secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei, and various ecclesiastical authorities.

A group of children, young people, and adults gave flowers and other gifts to the pope, who took time to greet and bless each of them.

At the same time that Leo XIV landed in Argentina, all the churches in Buenos Aires rang their bells as a sign of joy.

Under the motto ‘Welcome all: go and announce’, Leo XIV’s visit will be the first by a pope to Argentina since John Paul II made his second trip to the country in 1987.

Leo XIV made a floral offering this Sunday at the monument to José de San Martín, hero of the independence of several South American countries, at the start of his visit to Argentina.

In a ceremony held in the square named after the hero in the Retiro neighborhood, in Buenos Aires, the Pope was accompanied by the Argentine Foreign Minister, Pablo Quirno.

After placing a wreath with white and yellow flowers – colors of the papal flag – the pontiff approached reverently and silently touched the monument.

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