Christian World | Visiting a Don Orione care center in Argentina, Pope Leo XIV said a nation's progress is also measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities

ACW | November 9, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV said on Monday that a nation's progress is also measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities, during a visit to the Don Orione care center in Claypole, Argentina, Vatican News reported.

The visit came on the second day of the pope's stay in Argentina. He spent time with staff and with the people who receive care at the center, Vatican News said.

The center, also known as the Little Cottolengo, was founded in 1935 by St. Luigi Orione to welcome and care for people with disabilities. More than 400 people live in its 14 residential homes, according to Vatican News.

"A nation's progress is also measured by how it welcomes all people with disabilities and particular needs," the pope said. He said the center's values of dignity, belonging and fraternal friendship "have much to say to our societies, which are often driven solely by the pursuit of economic success."

"Charity will save the world," Leo said, because "God is love." He said he hoped thousands of young people would volunteer in charity work.

Background: The pope arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, Nov. 8, after concluding his visit to Uruguay. ACW reported his first speech in Argentina in Pope Leo tells Argentina's leaders authority must be service.

Why it matters: At the center, the pope said people with disabilities are a blessing to society, not a burden, and urged everyone to use their gifts for those in greatest need, Vatican News reported.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Vatican News — Pope in Argentina: 'May Christ's love triumph over all individualism and exclusion'

Photo: Vatican News (Vatican Media) — Pope Leo XIV visits the Don Orione Cottolengo in Argentina