Pope Leo's Argentina visit forecast to draw seven million

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Seven million people are expected to turn out for Pope Leo XIV when he visits Argentina in November, the government said Monday ahead of the first papal trip here in almost 40 years.

Since 1987 no pope has come to the traditionally Catholic South American nation, not even Pope Leo's predecessor Francis, who was himself Argentine.

The US-born pontiff will also visit Uruguay and Peru during this trip.

In Argentina he will hold three open-air masses and religious gatherings in Buenos Aires and in central Cordoba province over the course of four days, according to the agenda released by the Vatican.

The country is preparing for the largest security operation in its history, said Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva.

Security forces tasked with keeping the pope and the visit safe will cover "three jurisdictions, three airports, 11 closed-venue events, and three mass events, where a total attendance of seven million people is expected," she added.

The government is also considering declaring special days off or national holidays to make it easier for people to travel to the papal events.

Pope Leo will meet with President Javier Milei upon his arrival in Buenos Aires on November 8, and with civil society representatives later that day. —Agence France-Presse