From LA NACION · LA NACION · · 2m
Pope León XIV honours Angelelli, calls bishops to serve the poor
At the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Pope vindicated the murdered bishop and tasked Argentina's clergy with caring for the unemployed, elderly and homeless.
In brief
At the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Pope vindicated the murdered bishop and tasked Argentina's clergy with caring for the unemployed, elderly and homeless. Pope León XIV praised Bishop Enrique Angelelli, killed by Argentina's military dictatorship in nineteen seventy-six, and ordered bishops to prioritise the poor…
Pope honours murdered bishop
Pope León XIV spoke to Argentina's bishops at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, vindicating Bishop Enrique Angelelli, who was killed by the military dictatorship in nineteen seventy-six.
Angelelli's death and beatification
Angelelli was killed on August fourth, nineteen seventy-six on route thirty-eight in Punta de los Llanos, La Rioja.The dictatorship called it an accident.In twenty fourteen it was proven a homicide.
Three bishops as examples
The Pope cited three beatified bishops as models of unity and peace: Enrique Angelelli, Mamerto Esquiú and Eduardo Pironio. He said their lives show how one mission can take diverse forms.
“a school of pastors born of our ecclesial history. The saints continue forming saints.”
Pope invokes reconciliation
The Pope did not mention the dictatorship or political violence but spoke of reconciliation. He used the cathedral's front image of Joseph reuniting with his father Jacob and brothers as a metaphor.
“God opens paths of life, even where men have sown division.”
What reconciliation requires
The Pope defined reconciliation as recognising wounds, renouncing resentment and letting God's grace transform relationships. He said Joseph, harmed by his brothers, forgave them and became their salvation.
“Reconciliation demands recognising the wounds, renouncing resentment and letting the grace of God transform the relations between us.”
Bishops tasked with serving poor
The Pope ordered bishops to work together to foster priestly vocations, support families and care for those living in poverty, lacking employment or without decent housing.
“Let us work united to foster priestly and religious vocations, accompany families and care for those living in poverty, lacking employment or without decent housing.”
Concrete needs the Church must address
The Pope said priests must know the circumstances of those entrusted to them: the unemployed, young people forced to emigrate, elderly people living in abandonment and marginalised communities.
Charity and concrete action
The Pope said the charity of Christ urges them to respond with closeness and works demanded by the Gospel.
“The charity of Christ urges us.”
Francis's family presents white rose
Eight direct nephews of Pope Francis, invited by León XIV, attended the ceremony. They gave him a white rose with a note saying it signified love, faith and continuity of Francis's spiritual legacy.
Bishops share meal and fellowship
After the vespers celebration, León XIV shared an asado with the bishops at the Archbishopric of Buenos Aires.He greeted each bishop individually.
The bottom line
Pope León XIV praised Bishop Enrique Angelelli, killed by Argentina's military dictatorship in nineteen seventy-six, and ordered bishops to prioritise the poor, unemployed and elderly.
