Argentina: Pope addresses 65 deaths in prison before Peru return

Pope León XIV stood in the gymnasium of Devoto prison in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, facing a group of 75 inmates who had been selected for their participation in the facility's religious programs. The prison, which opened in 1927, is currently closing its doors permanently as more than 1,000 residents move to a new complex. León used the visit to tell the men that redemption remains possible even amidst deep suffering.

The prison carries a heavy weight in Argentine history. During the military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983, it served as a clandestine center for detention and torture. In 2012, the state designated the site as a place of memory to ensure the era of repression was not forgotten. The building’s corridors remained humid, with fluorescent lights reflecting off worn metal bars as guards held plastic riot shields in the main hallway.

León spoke directly to the realities of the men in front of him. He described their 'worrying realities' as familiar, citing the false power of easy money, the cowardly security of violence against the weak, and the impunity born from corruption. He urged the inmates to view their current limitations as a specific moment to restart their lives, noting that a light still shines even in the midst of pain and failure.

The Pope did not explicitly name the prison's dark past, but his words touched on the central issues of the site's history. In December 2025, a federal court ruled that 153 detainees had been tortured at Devoto. This included 65 common prisoners who died in an arson fire in 1978 while guards violently suppressed a riot. The military government had previously described the incident as a mutiny. The court sentenced former prison chiefs Juan Carlos Ruiz and Horacio Martín Galíndez to 25 years in prison for their roles in the violations.

Human rights attorneys have filed petitions with the courts to block any sale or disposal of the prison's land and facilities. They argue the space must be preserved until investigations into the crimes against humanity committed there are fully concluded. The inmates listened to León while seated in rows, wearing identical white uniforms. Behind them, flags of Argentina and the Holy See flanked a statue of the Virgin of Luján, a gift from Pope Francisco during his time as archbishop.

León, who was born in Chicago and served as a priest and bishop in Peru for over two decades, is preparing to leave Argentina for his adopted homeland. Peru has organized a national celebration to greet the man its citizens know as Father Robert. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru and is widely respected for his pastoral work in poor communities.

Before departing for Peru, León will hold his final Mass in Argentina at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. Located 72 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, the sanctuary is dedicated to the patroness of the nation. Organizers expect one million people to attend the service, continuing a streak of record crowds that have greeted the Pope during his visit. The municipality urged pilgrims to arrive days early due to the scale of the security and logistical deployment.

The basilica hosts one of the largest expressions of faith in Argentina, with hundreds of thousands walking to the site each October. This year's pilgrimage drew more than 2.8 million participants despite persistent rain. During the upcoming Mass, community volunteers, including Sara Ramírez from a low-income neighborhood in Santa Fe province, will carry the bread and wine to the altar. Many in the crowd hope the Pope's call for unity will help ease the bitter political divisions within the country.