Christian World | Pope Leo XIV prayed before a memorial plaque to Pope Francis in Buenos Aires cathedral and urged Argentina's bishops to preserve unity in faith and charity

ACW | November 10, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV paused in silent prayer before a memorial plaque to Pope Francis in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires on Monday, Vatican News reported.

The moment came just before Vespers with Argentina's bishops and synodal teams. Cardinal Marcelo Colombo, president of the Argentine Bishops' Conference, stood beside the pope, with the bishops behind him, Vatican News said.

Six children from parishes and associations of the archdiocese laid small bouquets beneath the plaque. Eight of Francis's nieces and nephews had been invited and gave the pope a white rose at the end of the celebration, the outlet reported.

The plaque reads: "Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, 11th Archbishop of Buenos Aires, 1998–2013" and "Elected Supreme Pontiff as Francis, 2013–2025." It was updated after Francis's death and restored for the visit, according to Vatican News.

At Vespers, Leo asked the bishops to "preserve unity in faith and charity" and said: "The saints continue to form saints." He told them to "rejoice in whatever promotes the life of your people," citing honest work, care for those most in need and institutions that serve the common good.

The quotations are taken from Vatican News' English report; the full text of the address had not appeared on the Vatican website at the time of publication.

Background: The ceremony closed the pope's second day in Argentina, part of a trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru that runs from Nov. 6 to 17. Earlier that day he met Argentina's religious leaders.

Why it matters: According to the plaque, Francis served 15 years as archbishop of Buenos Aires before his election as pope. In the same cathedral, Leo prayed that the bishops would translate respect for "the dignity of every person" into "concrete decisions," Vatican News reported.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Pope Francis in Buenos Aires Cathedral; Vatican News — Pope to Argentina's Bishops: 'Rejoice in whatever promotes people's lives'

Photo: Vatican Media