Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Buenos Aires on November 10, pausing in prayer before a memorial plaque commemorating Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s years as Archbishop of the Argentine capital, according to Vatican News.
The cathedral, located in the historic Plaza de Mayo in central Buenos Aires, was where Bergoglio served as archbishop from 1998 until his election as Pope in 2013.
The marble plaque behind the cathedral’s altar bears his name, episcopal tenure and papal years, alongside his coat of arms and motto, Miserando atque eligendo. It was updated following his death.
Standing before the memorial, Pope Leo observed a moment of silence and prayer, honoring the pastor who had celebrated Masses, heard confessions and accompanied the faithful in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.
Six children representing local parishes and associations joined the Pope in placing small bouquets beneath the plaque. Among those present were Cardinal Marcelo Colombo, president of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference, and members of the Bergoglio family.
When Pope Leo greeted the children, one of them, Tomi, told him, “I’m moved,” in response to the Pope’s question about how he was feeling.
The tribute also carried a personal family gesture. Pope Francis’ eight nieces and nephews presented Pope Leo with a white rose, a flower deeply associated with their uncle’s devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Pope Francis regarded the white rose as a sign of the saint’s spiritual presence and guidance in his life. A white rose is also regularly placed on his tomb at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, where he was buried.
In their dedication, the family described the flower as a symbol of “love, faith, and continuity,” expressing their hope that the tenderness, hope and mercy associated with Pope Francis would continue to flourish in the Church.
The gesture underscored the personal and spiritual bond between the two pontiffs, as Pope Leo continued his visit to the country that gave the Catholic Church its first Latin American pope.
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