During a large mass in Palermo, Argentina, 19-year-old Benjamin Wasinger from La Plata told C5N he wants to become a priest. He said Pope Leo XIV inspired his decision to enter a seminary next year. The young man encouraged others to pray for vocations and not be afraid to try. His testimony was broadcast during the papal visit to the Monument to the Spaniards. The event drew many faithful, and his story became one of the most emotional moments of the second day of the visit. According to the outlet, his declaration went viral online.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Argentina on Monday. He met with faithful, religious, and people with disabilities. The Pope stated that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes those with special needs. He praised the community as a foundation for charity and peace. He urged Argentina to foster volunteerism and love over exclusion. The Pontiff told residents their lives are a blessing, not a burden. He emphasized that God's love is the basis of hope for those with physical or spiritual impediments. This visit marked the start of his pastoral activities in the country.
Argentine police arrested 25-year-old Tomás Natenzon near the central mass venue in Buenos Aires during Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Authorities seized a pistol, 65 bullets, fake Vatican and police credentials, and 43 trunking communication devices from his Palermo apartment. Natenzon was intercepted on a motorcycle with forged plates and claimed to be a volunteer firefighter. Federal Judge María Romilda Servini ordered his isolation. The investigation continues to determine the origin of the seized military-grade technology and the scope of his actions. The case remains open at the Comodoro Py courts.
Pastor of Los Santos de Maimona in Spain reports that youth volunteers from various regions and countries brought joy to the community during the Decisión ministry campaign held from July 1 to 10, 2026. Despite challenges like heat and accommodation issues, the group engaged in activities such as Bible festivals and soccer tournaments. The pastor states that the volunteers demonstrated perseverance and love, leaving a positive impact on neighbors. The event aimed to share the message of hope and salvation in Jesus Christ, proving that spiritual work is not in vain even in quiet rural areas.
In China, a woman continues leading an underground Christian ministry after police raided her home church and imprisoned her husband for three and a half years. According to Open Doors, she faced rejection from local registered churches due to fear of government retaliation. Despite isolation and legal risks, she supports former student members who now lead small groups in secret. The article highlights increasing pressure on unregistered congregations in China, where authorities enforce strict laws against religious activities involving minors and conduct frequent surveillance. Her resilience illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by Chinese Christians operating clandestinely under state restrictions.
Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine gendarme who was detained in Venezuela for 448 days, wrote a letter to Pope Leo XIV. He asked the Pontiff to highlight the situation of political prisoners still held in Venezuela. Gallo shared his personal experience and expressed concern for those remaining in inhumane conditions. Although he could not deliver the letter personally after the Pope's mass in Palermo, Argentina, he stated his commitment to continuing to speak out for detainees and their families. The message emphasizes human dignity and the hope for peace and justice for those still imprisoned.
Pope Leo XIV visited Argentina, drawing millions of faithful who gathered for a day described as historic and unifying. The pontiff visited the Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Buenos Aires, where he blessed residents and emphasized the importance of looking out for others. The article reports that families and people of various ages participated in vigils and prayers, seeking spiritual connection and healing. The visit is portrayed as a moment of national cohesion, aiming to bridge social divides and foster hope among the population.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Francisco Chévez, a musician with a disability from Santa Fe, Argentina, was embraced by Pope Leo XIV on Monday at the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole. This meeting marks the third time Chévez has personally encountered a pope, following previous visits with John Paul II in 1987 and Francis in 2018. According to the outlet, the Pope acknowledged Chévez's presence in the crowd and offered a warm greeting. During the visit, Leo XIV stated that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities. Chévez, who lives at the San Roque Home, had hoped to convey a message of love and peace to the Pontiff.
Argentine authorities arrested two men during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina. A 49-year-old man was detained in Pilar for threatening the Pope's life, following an investigation by the Federal Police that used digital tracking tools. Separately, 27-year-old Tomás Natenzon was arrested in Buenos Aires for using fake credentials and a motorcycle license plate near the event's central stage. The first suspect faces charges of threats, while Natenzon is held for document forgery and public intimidation. Officials stated the cases are separate and did not confirm any link between the two individuals.
Representatives of ECA Global will hold a press conference in Buenos Aires on November 11 to demand an audience with Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Argentina. The group aims to highlight the Próvolo Institute abuse case in Mendoza and allegations against Opus Dei involving 43 women. According to the outlet, survivors and human rights defenders seek acknowledgment of abuses, judicial cooperation, and reparations. Matthias Katsch stated that the Pope should recognize the crimes and apologize, emphasizing that institutional protection must not override victims' rights. The organization argues these cases reflect a structural problem within the Church.
According to security sources cited by El Destape, more than 2.1 million people attended a mass led by Pope Leo XIV on Monday, November 9, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event took place at the Monument of the Spaniards in the Palermo neighborhood. The Pontiff arrived via a two-kilometer procession in the Popemobile. This gathering marked the second day of his visit to the country, following his arrival from Uruguay. The article also outlines his upcoming schedule, including trips to Córdoba and a visit to a federal prison before departing for Peru.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Florian Homberger, a reform pastor in Müllheim, Switzerland, hosts weekly devotionals inside the video game Minecraft. The sessions, attended by about 20 people including non-believers, began in summer 2025 after Homberger was inspired by a deceased parishioner's gaming community. Participants engage in interactive activities, such as building structures that illustrate Bible verses, to explore faith in a familiar digital environment. Homberger states this approach removes barriers for those uncomfortable with traditional church settings. The initiative aims to reach young adults where they feel at home, rather than replacing Sunday worship. The Dienstags Mail and Beobachter reported on this innovative outreach method.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A documentary highlighting the struggles of five individuals facing repression, food shortages, and medicine scarcity in Cuba won the Grand Prize and Best Documentary Feature at the Anthem Film Festival. Directed by a public figure and produced by a Cuban activist, the film features testimonies from people involved in recent protests. The project took three years to complete and aims to document the reality of life under the Cuban government. The award arrives amid ongoing political tension and reports of hundreds of political prisoners in the country, according to a regional outlet.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated a mass attended by over two million people in Palermo, Argentina, on Monday. The event took place at the Monumento de los Españoles, featuring a nearly 24-meter-high stage designed by priest Eugenio Uda. The structure incorporated three Christian symbols: a dove-shaped roof for the Holy Spirit, a large cross for Christ, and a stone altar representing Saint Peter. The production, handled by DF Entertainment, cost approximately 5.6 million dollars. This location previously hosted Pope John Paul II in 1982. A second vigil for youth and families was scheduled for Tuesday before the structures were dismantled.
Devotees from La Plata, Corrientes, and Tucumán have gathered near the Monument to the Spaniards in Palermo, Argentina, to witness the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV. According to eldia.com.do, pilgrims express high expectations and emotional anticipation for the event. Some travelers, like Elias, seek a new spiritual experience similar to past papal visits, while volunteers such as Francisco aim to serve the nation. Others, including Esperanza and Nadia, hope to see the pontiff to receive faith and hope. The crowd includes families and groups waiting to participate in this unique moment with the successor of Peter.
A recent global Christianity report indicates that Latin America has emerged as the primary hub for missionary activity, surpassing traditional Western sources. This region now contributes nearly half of all Christian worker dispatches worldwide, with one major nation leading the effort by sending tens of thousands of active personnel. The total number of missionaries has grown significantly. The data reveals a structural shift toward a polycentric model, where professionals from the Global South serve in restricted areas and engage in reverse mission efforts in Europe and North America, reflecting a new dynamic in international evangelism.
The Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) has established a new branch of its International Institute of Charity and Volunteering in Arequipa, Peru. This initiative launches alongside Pope Leo XIV's visit to the country and operates in collaboration with the Catholic University of Santa María. Archbishop Javier Del Río highlighted the project's goal to strengthen Christian solidarity and social service. The local coordinator will manage activities focused on organized charity and volunteer training. UCAM Vice Rector Antonio Alcaraz stated the center aims to address community needs through education and service, continuing the university's long-standing partnership in the region.
Marta Griselda Torres, a woman with cerebral palsy, shared her personal story with Pope Leo XIV during a visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Italy. Torres described being abandoned by her mother and finding refuge at the center, which she called a beacon of light. The Pontiff was visibly moved by her account and received a book she authored. He praised the institution for integrating people with disabilities into society and emphasized the inherent dignity of those with disabilities. This event occurred during the Pope's activities in Argentina, highlighting his focus on caring for vulnerable populations.
The Centro Sefarad-Israel has awarded the 2026 Corona Esther prize to three non-Catholic religious programs on Spain's La 2 channel: Buenas Noticias TV, Shalom, and Medina. The decision was made by a committee meeting in Madrid on June 9. The award recognizes the programs' efforts in promoting religious pluralism, diversity, and freedom of worship. Buenas Noticias TV, an evangelical show directed by Esteban Lozano, marks its 40th anniversary this year. José Thovar Lozano, the center's director general, praised the directors for their valuable contribution to democratic coexistence. The award ceremony will take place on September 8 in Madrid during the Jewish New Year celebrations.
Translated from Español
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
