Buenos Aires: Across Latin America, Catholics are uniting in prayer for Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the region, as the Vatican confirmed on Saturday that the Argentina-born leader remains in critical condition at a hospital in Rome.
From Mexico to Argentina, and across both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the faithful have gathered in churches, lit candles, and offered prayers for the pope’s recovery.
A Deep Spiritual Connection
“We … pray for him with trust in God and pray for his health with joy,” said Argentine priest Adrian Bennardins, emphasizing Francis’ impact on the global Catholic Church as a leader who has made it “closer, simple, fraternal, without leaving anyone out.”
A 2024 Latinobarometro survey covering 18 Latin American nations found that while Catholicism has seen a decline—dropping from 80% in 1995 to 54%—Pope Francis remains a deeply revered figure in the region.
For many, his Latin American roots make his leadership even more relatable.
“Since he’s a Latino, he speaks our language and he shares the feelings of the Latino community because we come from a similar culture,” said Grisel Jimenez, who attended mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Argentina Leads the Prayers
Having started his journey as a Jesuit priest in Argentina before becoming archbishop of Buenos Aires and later a cardinal, Pope Francis has a special place in the hearts of his compatriots.
In Buenos Aires, a nighttime projection of the pope’s image with the message “The city prays for you” has been displayed on the iconic Obelisk from Friday through Monday.
Meanwhile, Argentina issued a nationwide call to its villas and barrios—referring to low-income communities—to join in prayer for their native pope.
Gabriel Indihar, 50, responded to the call, expressing his belief in the power of collective faith.
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“When the community prays together, it has greater reach to God so he can make these miraculous transformations,” Indihar said. “That is the request we make for the pope.”
Support from Brazil and Beyond
Brazil, the world’s largest Catholic country, has also joined the wave of prayers.
“As a Catholic, it’s not just about worshipping Christ, but also praying for the pope, praying for our church, and praying for the world,” said Helio Martins Da Silva, a churchgoer in São Paulo.
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As Pope Francis continues his battle for recovery, Latin America—his home and spiritual stronghold—remains steadfast in prayer, hoping for a miracle.
