Leo's trip will be the papal visit Argentina wants

Pope Leo's arrival in Argentina, the second stop on his South American tour, marks a papal visit many Catholics hoped his predecessor, Francis, would make.



Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, was the first pope from the Americas.



"Leo is going to make the visit that Francis never did," said the Rev. Lorenzo "Toto" de Vedia, who works with poor communities in the 21-24 neighborhood in Buenos Aires.



Bergoglio often visited the area as archbishop of Buenos Aires.



Residents said they regret that he never returned as pope, but remember fondly his reforms and focus on marginalized groups.



"There's no cure for the sorrow over Francis," said Ramón Piedrabuena, a 68-year-old retiree who still works as a garbage collector in the neighborhood.



He said locals would welcome Leo, though not with the same affection they felt for Francis, who died in 2025.