Argentina commemorates first anniversary of Pope Francis' death with events throughout the country

Buenos Aires.- Argentina will commemorate this Tuesday the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis with masses, caravans and events in different parts of the country, in a day that will have as its epicenter the city of Luján, in Buenos Aires, in which the participation of officials from the Government of Javier Milei and other political, union and religious authorities is expected.

The main ceremony will be held from 5:00 PM local time (8:00 PM GMT) in the Basilica of Luján, one of the main centers of Catholic pilgrimage in the country, and will be presided over by the Archbishop of Mendoza and head of the Argentine Episcopal Conference, Marcelo Colombo.

Under the motto “grateful memory” and “missionary commitment,” the call seeks to remember the legacy of the Argentine pontiff and his call for a Church close to the most vulnerable sectors.

In representation of the national Government, the Chief of Staff, Manuel Adorni, will attend, along with the Ministers of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva; of Deregulation and Transformation of the State, Federico Sturzenegger; of the Interior, Diego Santilli; of Defense, Carlos Presti; of Health, Mario Lugones, and of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello. Vice President Victoria Villarruel will also participate, who is in charge of the Executive Power while Milei is in Israel, where he traveled to participate in the Independence Day ceremony of that country. Among the provincial leaders who confirmed their attendance was the governor of Buenos Aires and one of the main opponents of the Milei government, Axel Kicillof. Also present will be leaders of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the largest labor union in the South American country, and representatives of social movements.

On behalf of the Church, the entire Argentine episcopate and the Executive Commission of the Episcopal Conference will participate.

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There will also be celebrations in other parts of the country. In the city of Buenos Aires, activities will take place around the Basílica de Flores -where Jorge Bergoglio began his pastoral path- which will include the planting of an “Olive Tree for Peace”, the blessing of a mural in a Metro station, a musical show and a mass scheduled for 8:00 PM local time (23:00 GMT), presided over by Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva.

Francisco passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta, in Vatican City.

He was the pope of the underprivileged during his just over 12 years of pontificate, in which he tried to change the mechanisms of a Church that was too centralized in the Roman Curia, to stop its abuses and promoted a language centered on mercy and the most vulnerable.