# Archbishop of Luján: 'An entire people stands with open arms to welcome the Pope'

> Argentina prepares for Pope Leo XIV's visit with open hearts and faith.
- Title: Archbishop of Luján: 'An entire people stands with open arms…
- Summary: Argentina prepares for Pope Leo XIV's visit with open hearts and faith. Argentina's people welcome Pope Leo XIV with open arms as he begins his Apostolic…
- Keywords: argentina, pope leo xiv, apostolic journey, virgin mary, catholic church, luján, pope francis, pope john paul ii, religion, world, Archbishop, 'An
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-11/archbishop-lujan-argentina-people-open-pope-leo-trip-papal.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-11-02T11:41:50.384+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: argentina, pope leo xiv, apostolic journey, virgin mary, catholic church, luján, pope francis, pope john paul ii, religion, world
## Pope Leo XIV's arrival
Pope Leo XIV will visit Luján, Argentina on 11 November during his Apostolic Journey to Latin America.
## Statue of Our Lady of Luján
A 38 centimetre tall statue of Nuestra Señora de Luján, Patroness of Argentina, is housed in a basilica 70 kilometres from Buenos Aires.
## Pope's 'way of littleness'
Pope Leo XIV described the 'way of littleness' as the path God chose to come down among humanity.
## Archbishop Scheinig on silence
Archbishop Jorge Eduardo Scheinig says Our Lady of Luján never spoke but remains 'persevering', 'constant' and 'maternal'.
## Pope Francis's bond
Pope Francis spoke of Our Lady of Luján's gaze renewing and strengthening people's hearts.
## Pope Francis's miracle story
Pope Francis recalled a father praying at Luján shrine after his daughter's near death.
## Pope Leo XIV's closeness
Argentina believes Pope Leo XIV's presence will renew the special bond with the papacy.
## Preparations for arrival
Plaza Belgrano prepares for 2.5 million pilgrims during Pope Leo XIV's visit.
## Faith despite statistics
Argentina's Catholic population declined from 76.5% in 2008 to 62.9% in 2019 but faith remains strong.
## Archbishop Scheinig's connection
Archbishop Scheinig was ordained in Luján and has a lifelong connection to the Virgin Mary.
## Pope John Paul II's visit
Pope John Paul II visited Luján in 1982 during Falklands conflict crisis.
## Luján's history
Our Lady of Luján's statue arrived in Argentina in May 1630 from Brazil.
## Key takeaway

Argentina's people welcome Pope Leo XIV with open arms as he begins his Apostolic Journey to Latin America.