Papal Visit: Pope Meets Residents at Claypole Disability Center
Hundreds of faithful waited overnight as the pontiff prepared to visit a facility housing 415 people with disabilities on the second day of his Argentine tour.
By Leila Reynolds ·
The Pope arrived at the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione on Monday morning, the second day of his visit to Argentina. He met with staff and the 415 residents of the residential center, which is located in Claypole, approximately 25 kilometers south of Buenos Aires. The facility opened in 1936, inspired by the earlier 1935 visit of Italian priest Luis Orione.
Hundreds of faithful gathered near the center in the early hours of Monday to await the pontiff. They formed lines in the cool morning air as the large institution prepared for the visit. The center functions as a family-like environment, supported by interdisciplinary teams of therapists, psychologists, and assistants.
The Pope will continue his schedule in Buenos Aires later on Monday. He plans to celebrate Mass at the Monument to the Spanish. He will also meet with labor representatives at the Catholic University of Argentina. Additional meetings are scheduled with religious communities and the Argentine episcopate.
The Claypole center serves as a regional hub for a network of 14 similar small centers across Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. These facilities provide home and comprehensive care for 1,300 people with disabilities. The work is part of the global Don Orione mission, which operates in 34 countries to promote service, dignity, and inclusion.
