Two million turn out to meet Pope in Buenos Aires in Leo’s largest mass yet

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Buenos Aires officials said more than two million worshippers had turned out Monday for a vast public Mass by Pope Leo XIV, with pilgrims travelling from across Argentina and camping overnight to get a glimpse of the pontiff.

The gathering was the largest crowd of Leo’s papacy to date and came just three weeks after the 69-year-old underwent surgery for lung cancer, as he pressed ahead with a demanding 12-day tour of Latin America.

Related coveragePope Leo XIV Undergoes Surgery to Remove Cancerous Growth From Right Lung9 reports

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Crowds chanted “Ole, ole, ole, Leon, Leon”, waved yellow-and-white Vatican flags, and packed a kilometres-long stretch of Avenida del Libertador while giant screens relayed images of the pope’s journey through the city.