Millions fill Buenos Aires streets as Pope Leo hails strength of South American Church

Vast crowds thronged one of the main boulevards in Buenos Aires on Monday as Pope Leo rejoiced ​at the strength of the Catholic Church in South America during an outdoor Mass that officials said drew a record crowd of 2.5 million ‌people on the first papal trip to Argentina in nearly four decades.

Argentines stretched for miles down the Avenida del Libertador, waving the white-and-yellow Vatican flag and pressing against security barriers for a glimpse of the pontiff at the largest event yet of the pope's 12-day South American tour, and of his 18-month tenure leading the global Catholic Church.

Chants of "Long live Pope Leo!" echoed down the tree-lined street as the ​pope was driven by in an open-top popemobile under sunny skies.

Leo said in his sermon how happy he was to see Catholics in a region that ​has long been a stronghold for the Church but where it has been losing ground recently to fast-growing evangelical denominations.

"It fills my heart ⁠with joy to celebrate... with you," said the pope. "My visit to this land of Argentina has allowed me to see on your faces the enthusiasm of your faith."

Leo, 71, is on an ambitious 50-event, three-country tour less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. He visited Uruguay before arriving in Argentina on Sunday and ​will travel on to Peru on Wednesday before returning to Rome on November 17.