Pope Leo XIV tells Argentina's bishops to back honest work, the poor and decent housing at Buenos Aires Vespers

Pope Leo XIV tells Argentina's bishops to back honest work, the poor and decent housing at Buenos Aires Vespers.

Pope Leo XIV closed his second day in Argentina on Monday by praying Vespers with the country's bishops and diocesan synodal teams at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Buenos Aires, the see Pope Francis led before his election, Vatican News reported.

In his address, the pope urged church leaders to "rejoice in whatever promotes the life of your people: honest work, care for those most in need, and institutions that responsibly serve the common good." He called on bishops to work together to foster vocations, accompany families and care for people living in poverty, those who are unemployed and those who lack decent housing.

Leo XIV said the church must look with a maternal gaze on every part of society, including marginalized communities and people forced to emigrate, and described reconciliation as a central task that requires acknowledging wounds and letting go of resentment.

Noting that the gathering fell on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran, the pope reminded bishops of their duty to "preserve unity in faith and charity" in communion with the successor of Peter. He held up three Argentine bishops beatified for their witness to unity and peace, Blesseds Mamerto Esquiú, Enrique Angelelli and Eduardo Pironio. "The saints continue to form saints," he said.

He closed by asking that bishops be strengthened to translate into concrete decisions "respect for the dignity of every person, the commitment to the universal destination of goods, the preferential option for the poor, and care for creation."

The address continues a theme that has run through the Argentina leg of the journey, whose motto is "Everyone is welcome. Go and proclaim!" Earlier on Monday, at an interreligious gathering, the pope said human dignity must prevail over profit, and during the visit he has pressed President Javier Milei's government on the social cost of austerity.

Focus Plus Media is following each stage of the papal journey through Latin America.