Leo XIV at the Cottolengo in Claypole: “Your lives are a blessing”

Leo XIV visited this morning, 9 November, the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione de Claypole, south of Buenos Aires, meeting staff and residents of the centre founded in the spirit of St Luigi Orione.

According to the Holy See Press Office Bulletin (B0887), the Pope left the Apostolic Nunciature at 7.45 local time (11.45 Rome time) and along the route was accompanied by around 100,000 people. On arrival about 3,000 faithful were waiting; at the main entrance he was received by Bishop Jorge Rubén Lugones of Lomas de Zamora and by the centre’s director, Brother Jorge David Silanes.

Chapel of the Heart and testimonies. After a welcome hymn and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, Leo XIV paused in the Chapel of the Heart for a moment of prayer before the relic of St Luigi Orione’s heart. On the stage set up in the centre he listened to the bishop’s introduction and the director’s welcome; then two residents — including Marta, who is blind, and Norma, who has a disability — offered their testimonies. Norma, 44, at the Cottolengo since she was 14, also gave the Pope a new zucchetto, which he put on at once.

The address. In his greeting Leo XIV thanked Marta and Norma and described the Cottolengo as a “fraternal community with open doors” and the “city of charity” desired by Don Orione. He asked that in Argentina the love of Christ triumph “over individualism and exclusion” and affirmed: “Today I would like to affirm that your lives are not a burden on society. They are a blessing.” And again: a nation’s progress “is also measured by the welcome it is able to give to all people with disabilities and special needs.”

Our Father, blessing and private visit. An exchange of gifts and the blessing followed: the Pope led staff and residents in the Our Father in Spanish and imparted the apostolic blessing. Before leaving he made a brief private visit to people with disabilities and addictions housed near the side exit of the Sanctuary, including some at their bedside. He then transferred to the Monumento de los Españoles for Mass.

Follow the journey live blog: [Pope Leo XIV’s Latin America journey](/articolo/pope-leo-xiv-s-latin-america-journey-live-updates-c2a5?lang=en).

Sources: Holy See Press Office, B0887; Vatican News; Vatican Media video.