The Pope takes over Buenos Aires: All you need to know

Pope Leo XIV will land in Buenos Aires on November 8 for a historic visit to Argentina. His arrival will coincide with the aftermath of the 35th Pride March on November 7, so the city is gearing up for a complicated weekend. 

The Pope will combine private activities and major public events in three areas: Buenos Aires City, Luján, and Córdoba. Each will host a large public mass, open to everyone. While registration is not mandatory, signing up here is recommended to secure better access.

Lockdown in Recoleta: all you need to know A security perimeter will be set around his quarters at the Nunciatura Apostólica, with blockades all along Av. Callao, Av. Quintana, Av. Libertador, and Cerrito. The lockdown will be in place from noon, Nov 7 to Nov. 11 in the afternoon.

During that time, the only people allowed in or out will be residents, business owners and tourist accommodation guests, so keep in hand your reservation information and some form of ID to back it. The only entry checkpoints will be located on Av. Callao and Quintana, and Libertad and Quintana. 

Cars will not be allowed to go in or outside the area, and all vehicles parked on streets within the designated perimeter must be removed by noon on November 7. Vehicles outside the perimeter are allowed to park at a 45-degree angle along Avenida Callao (right side), between Vicente López and Libertad streets, and Avenida del Libertador (toward Retiro), between Libertad and Avenida Callao.

Vehicles not removed by the deadline will be towed by Traffic Department staff to the grounds of the Faculty of Law, free of charge.

Garbage containers will be relocated and bus lines that normally run through the area will be rerouted. 

The Pope’s agenda, public service schedules and street blockades The national government confirmed that Monday, Nov. 9, will be a national public holiday. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the public holiday will be limited to Buenos Aires City and the Córdoba province. Wednesday, Nov. 11 will be a holiday only in the Buenos Aires province. 

During the Pope’s stay in the city, public services (airports, banks, hospitals) and transportation (buses, trains, subways) will therefore operate under different schedules, so remember to check beforehand.

Traffic in the areas around Pope Leo’s activities will be closed, so if you’re moving around on a rental car or app-based car service, avoid the vicinity of these areas, as crowds are expected to gather in the streets surrounding these locations. 

In Palermo, restrictions for vehicle circulation on Libertador Avenue, particularly around the Monumento a los Españoles area Libertador and Av. Sarmiento, are already causing rush hour gridlocks.

The complications will escalate from the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, through Saturday, November 14, when full road closures will begin in stages, from Olleros street to Ugarteche. 

The restricted-traffic area will extend from Scalabrini Ortiz to Mariscal Sucre, and from Santa Fe and Luis María Campos avenues to Figueroa Alcorta.

Here is a rundown of the Pope’s agenda and the logistics to keep in mind during these activities. Keep in mind that plans could be modified as work progresses and final details of the security operation for the pontiff’s visit evolve.

Sunday, November 8: arrival and no public events The pope will arrive in the Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport from Montevideo on Sunday, November 8, at 4:30 p.m and visit the José de San Martín monument in Plaza San Martín, in Retiro, at 5 p.m.

He will then go to the presidential palace Casa Rosada for a welcoming ceremony at 5:20 p.m., and meet President Javier Milei. Special visitors to the government headquarters typically step out to one of the balconies overlooking the historic Plaza de Mayo and greet the public on the square. There is no confirmation yet if that will happen or not.

Leo will then meet government authorities and diplomats at Palacio Libertad, a few blocks away from Casa Rosada. 

While there will be no public events that day, authorities expect large crowds will gather in the downtown areas to see the pontiff when he arrives.

Monday, November 9: public mass in Palermo The pope will start the day off by visiting the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione, a facility for people with mental disabilities and affections located in Claypole, a city in Buenos Aires province, around 30 kilometers south of the Argentine capital.

At 11:30 a.m. Leo will return to Buenos Aires City to preside mass at the Monumento de los Españoles (Spaniards’ Monument) Registration is recommended if you wish to secure a spot near the stage.

Attendees will be able to access the area of the mass starting at midnight, and people will be allowed to bring food, beverages, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and other items to allow for a more comfortable wait time.

The pope will arrive there in the popemobile through Libertador Avenue. Starting at 10 a.m. on Olleros St. the pontiff will travel 2.3 kilometers Libertador on a route prepared to allow people to approach and receive his blessing.

The route will feature a seven-meter-wide papal corridor lined with security barriers. Visitors will be able to access designated viewing areas through side streets, including Avenida Bullrich and Olleros.

Buenos Aires Auxiliary Bishop Iván Dornelles, the Popemobile will travel at an estimated speed of five kilometers per hour, allowing people to see the pontiff as he passes. Unconfirmed reports say Leo XIV may make several stops along the route.

As for viewing spots, authorities recommended avoiding the stretch between the Olleros tunnel and Avenida General Paz because of potential visibility problems in that area.

Medical stations will be set up along the 2.3-kilometer route to provide medical assistance.

Authorities recommend accessing the audience sectors by foot. Entry points are located in:

● Av. Int. Bullrich and Av. Santa Fe

● Ortega y Gasset and Av. Luis María Campos

● Olleros and Av. Luis María Campos

● Teodoro García and Av. Luis María Campos

● Virrey Vértiz and José Hernández

● Olleros and Valentín Alsina

● Av. Dorrego and Av. Figueroa Alcorta

● Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Dr. Roberto Levillier

The mass is expected to end at 1 p.m., followed by a live music show.

In the afternoon, the pope will meet union leaders and organizations, as well as leaders of Christian communities and other religions.

The day will conclude with vespers at Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral on Plaza de Mayo, followed by dinner with Argentine bishops at the Archbishop’s Residence.

Tuesday, November 10: trip to Córdoba and back Leo will depart from Buenos Aires to Córdoba city, in the province of the same name, early on Tuesday. He will preside mass at 10 a.m. at the Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) compound. Registration is recommended to get a better viewing spot.

He will also meet members of the clergy and the religious community in the afternoon before returning to Buenos Aires.

At 8:15 p.m., Leo will take part in a nightime vigil for young people at Monumento de los Españoles in Palermo. Registration for this activity is now closed.

Wednesday, November 11: massive mass in Luján Pope Leo XIV’s final day in Buenos Aires will begin with a visit to the Buenos Aires Federal Penitentiary Complex in the Villa Devoto neighborhood at 8 a.m.

The Buenos Aires City government has transferred most of the inmates to another facility in Marcos Paz, Buenos Aires province, as part of a project to shut down the Villa Devoto compound. However, a group of 74 inmates remain at the prison in order to meet with the pontiff.

Afterwards he will drive 60 kilometers to the city of Luján, in Buenos Aires province, where he will celebrate mass in the square in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján, the most important religious pilgrimage center in Argentina.

This is expected to be the most massive and symbolically important event in Pope Leo’s visit. Inscription is recommended.

The Holy Father will then travel to Ezeiza, where an official farewell ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. His plane to Lima will depart at 2 p.m.