Pope Francis on Wednesaday met with about 50 people from Argentina, in a spur-of-the-moment gathering at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Among those present was Archbishop Jose Maria Arancedo of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, president of the Argentine bishops’ conference, Fr. Pablo Bernardo Ordone, Master General of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, and several priests and religious. Also present were various lay persons, families with their children, and journalists.
The guests had an opportunity to sing and dance in front of the Pope, as well as sharing light refreshments in what was described as “a spirit of warm friendship.”
“The Pope paid tribute to the fruitfulness of the Church in Argentina, praying that she might rise to the situation created by his pontifical election,” stated a communique released by the Holy See.