León XIV stated that from now on Argentina has two Popes: "One who was born here and another by adoption"

The pope León XIV bid farewell to Argentina with a message full of emotion and gratitude, after completing his historic apostolic visit of four days in the country.

Through a post on his official X account, the pontiff highlighted the affection with which he was received, evoked the figure of his predecessor, Francisco, and left a phrase that particularly caught attention: “This country now has two Popes: one who was born here and another by adoption.”

The message was published after León XIV concluded his agenda in Argentine territory and departed for Peru to continue his South American tour.

During his stay, the leader of the Catholic Church led large religious celebrations, held meetings with various sectors of society, and visited emblematic places in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Luján.

The message from pope León XIV

“I thank God for what I experienced during my visit to #Argentina, the cradle of our beloved Pope Francisco,” began the pontiff in his post. In this way, he referred to the historical bond of the country with Jorge Bergoglio, the first Argentine to hold the highest position in the Catholic Church.

Next, León XIV thanked for the welcome he received during the days he stayed in the country and acknowledged the affection of the faithful who participated in the various activities. “Thank you for receiving me with so much love, I felt at home,” he wrote.

However, one of the most notable passages of his farewell came when he referred to the relationship he built with Argentina during his visit. “That’s why you can say that this country now has two Popes: one who was born here and another by adoption,” he expressed, in a direct reference to Francisco and the affectionate bond he claimed to have developed with the Argentine people.

The phrase became the central theme of his farewell message and conveyed a sense of closeness to the country, which he identified as the homeland of his predecessor, but also as a place with which he feels a personal connection.

The call for unity and farewell to Argentina

In the final part of the post, the Pope called to maintain unity through faith and prayer. “Let us remain united in Christ, praying for one another and entrusting ourselves to the maternal protection of Our Lady of Luján,” he stated.

The mention of the Virgin of Luján came after the pontiff led the closing mass of his visit there, before a crowd of 3.5 million faithful who gathered in the square of the Basilica to accompany him in his last religious activity in the country.

Finally, León XIV closed his post with an affectionate farewell that summarized the tone of his entire message: “Goodbye my dear Argentina!.”