00:00Precisely in this context, we have a special guest with us at this hour, Theologian Agustin Podesta.
00:07Agustin, welcome to From the South and thank you very much for joining us today.
00:17Agustin, what is the significance of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina precisely,
00:23especially following the pontificate of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope?
00:32Well, I think this visit has a very special meaning for Argentina.
00:38Pope Francis gave to the Universal Church an experience that started here in Argentina,
00:45and the closeness to the ordinary people, the concern for the poor, the theology of Argentina,
00:52the theology of the people, and the Pope Leo's presence recognizes those roots,
00:58and for many Argentinians, it has a deeply emotional moment.
01:04I see this as an opportunity to remember also Pope Francis.
01:11From a theological perspective, where do you see the main links between the ideals of Pope Francis
01:19and those of Pope Leo XIV, the one that he is putting precisely throughout this papal journey there in Argentina?
01:28Where can we connect both popes?
01:33Well, I see a strong continuity on their focus on Jesus, the care for the poor, and the church that
01:41listen,
01:42a missionary church, a church in the streets, right?
01:45Both understand that faith is something that shapes our relationships for the responsibility of the others,
01:53and the peace, and the peace, and the search for peace, and the challenges, the new technology, the AI.
02:00I think that's the continuity in these teachings.
02:06Also, late Pope Francis promoted a church that was closer to the people in need, to the poor, to those
02:14vulnerable.
02:15How is that vision as well reflected in Pope Leo XIV, and how have we been able to witness that
02:22from his assessments to the nation in the past three days?
02:30Well, I think Pope Leo and his closeness to the poor is part of the following Jesus.
02:38His years in Peru, and the needle for the poor, and his direct experience of communities gave him the closeness,
02:52right, to the people.
02:53And this has a special meaning for the church and the history of the church.
03:01Also, in his document, Dilexite, Leo XIV, as well, reaffirms the central place that the poor has in the life
03:10of the church.
03:11How important is this document, and how it is given to the social teaching, from the Catholic perspective?
03:23Well, I think that the document Dilexite, the central message, is the love of God,
03:28and the preference for the poor, the most needed people, right?
03:34Dilexite connects this conviction to the Bible and the long history of the Catholic Church in that matters.
03:43It also asks about to look at the causes of poverty and responsibility of building a more just society.
03:54Also, Latin America, of course, played an important role in the pontificate of Pope Francis,
04:02but what's the role that this region is playing in the church today?
04:11Latin America continues to bring a living experience of faith to the universal church.
04:22I think the popular devotions, the communities, the commitment for the poor people,
04:29those experiences have much to teach to the whole church, to the universal church.
04:35I think that Leo knows this reality from his years as missionary, bishop missionary in Peru.
04:43I think his relationship with the continent is deeply personal,
04:47and this journey makes his connection visible, more visible, right?
04:52Of course, also, this visit of Pablo 14 to Argentina is taking place in a moment
04:58in which Argentinians are facing economic, political, and social tensions.
05:03How can the Pope's message within the past few days and his presence there in Argentina,
05:11how is it helping as well to mobilize discussions toward social justice, toward inequality,
05:18all of these circumstances being faced by Argentinians?
05:25Well, I think the Pope can help us to put human dignity at the center of that debate, right?
05:33We need to ask how economic decisions affect people's daily lives, especially those who struggle most,
05:42and he said that in a few days, these past days.
05:45Can families afford food and housing? Can young people find decent work?
05:51I think his message can also encourage dialogue and remind us the political responsibility includes care for the whole community.
05:59You mentioned right there the youth, and one of the church's main intentions is precisely reaching younger generations through their
06:10messages.
06:10How is Leo 14 addressing precisely this challenge of speaking to the youth?
06:25I was thinking, can you hear me?
06:31Yeah, you're right.
06:33Perfect. I was asking that one of the main challenges of the church today is reaching out the youth, younger
06:41generations.
06:42How do you think Pope Leo 14 is precisely addressing that challenge of speaking to the younger generations there in
06:49Argentina?
06:54I think his approach begins with listening and to build trust.
06:58Many young people have questions about meaning, about loneliness, justice, the future, the game.
07:05The church needs to take those questions seriously.
07:09And at the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries, I am a Digital Missionary too,
07:14we are encouraged to build human relationships and to build communities online.
07:20For me, this offers a clear direction to be present, to be with more respect, to more dialogue, and to
07:29share faith, and through a credible life, the meaning of life, right?
07:37One last question.
07:39Agustin, what do you think is the message of Pope Leo 14 for the Argentine church precisely?
07:49I would describe this invitation with three words, closeness, hope, and responsibility to take care.
07:57I hope this visit encouraged the Argentine church to stay close to those who suffer the most and to give
08:05more people a voice in this life and its mission and the commitment and the encouragement to social justice.
08:17Agustin, thank you very much for your time here in Flandes South and also for helping us understand what does
08:23this best needs for the Argentine people at this hour.
