# Pope Leo visits Devoto Prison

> Pope Leo XIV visits Devoto Prison, closing its dark history as Argentina's last prison.
- Title: Pope Leo visits Devoto Prison · Buenos Aires Herald | Shortify
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV visits Devoto Prison, closing its dark history as Argentina's last prison.
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, devoto prison, cárcel de devoto, unidad penal n.º 2, buenos aires city, argentina, prison closure, political prisoners, masacre en el pabellón séptimo, 1976-1983 dictatorship, héctor cámpora, Buenos Aires Herald
- Source: Buenos Aires Herald — https://buenosairesherald.com/society/the-tragic-history-of-the-prison-pope-leo-will-visit
- Author: Buenos Aires Herald
- Published: 2026-11-05T20:04:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, devoto prison, cárcel de devoto, unidad penal n.º 2, buenos aires city, argentina, prison closure, political prisoners, masacre en el pabellón séptimo, 1976-1983 dictatorship, héctor cámpora, news
## Pope Leo's Argentina trip
Pope Leo XIV's four-day visit to Argentina includes meetings with political leaders and youth groups.
## Devoto Prison visit
Pope Leo will meet 74 inmates at Devoto Prison, the last remaining prison in Buenos Aires City.
## Papal prison tradition
Pope John XXIII started the tradition of visiting prisons in 1958, now central to Pope Francis' work.
## Devoto Prison history
Devoto Prison opened in 1927 and closed after 97 years, ending its use as a clandestine detention center during the 1976-1983 dictatorship.
## Devoto's political role
Devoto housed political prisoners after 1955, leading to overpopulation and violence in the neighborhood.
## Devotazo incident
In 1973, Peronist activists forced Devoto open during the 'Devotazo' to free political prisoners.
## Massacre in 1978
65 prisoners died in the 'Masacre en el Pabellón Séptimo' after a guard-inmate argument led to a crackdown.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV visits Devoto Prison on November 10, 2024, marking its permanent closure after 97 years and a history of political repression and massacre.