One year after the death of Pope Francis, Buenos Aires paid tribute to its former archbishop with an unconventional celebration blending spirituality and contemporary culture. In Plaza de Mayo, in front of the cathedral where Jorge Mario Bergoglio served for fifteen years, thousands gathered for the event “Francisco vive en el encuentro” (“Francis lives in encounter”).

The evening was led by Father Guilherme Peixoto, a Portuguese priest and DJ known for performing at World Youth Day in 2023. For over two hours, electronic music alternated with moments of reflection, engaging young people, families, and parish groups in a collective ritual. The Archbishop of Buenos Aires was also present, symbolizing a Church open to new forms of communication.

The event embodied one of the key ideas of Francis’ pontificate: the “culture of encounter,” a call for dialogue, inclusion, and overcoming divisions. This message remains highly relevant in a world marked by rapid change and social tensions.

His legacy is also reflected in the four encyclicals that defined his twelve-year papacy. Lumen Fidei (2013) emphasized faith as a guiding light in an increasingly individualistic society. Laudato si’ (2015) marked a turning point by placing environmental protection and social justice at the heart of Church teaching.

In 2020, amid the pandemic, Fratelli tutti called for global solidarity and warned against growing fragmentation. Finally, Dilexit Nos (2024) highlighted the importance of human relationships and emotional depth in an increasingly technological world.

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, just hours after celebrating Easter Mass. Commemorations for the first anniversary of his death will be held in Rome at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, his chosen burial place. His message, however, continues to resonate across the Church and beyond.