How to drive from Paraguay to Argentina to see Pope Leo XIV

Leo XIV will arrive in Buenos Aires this Sunday, November 8. His South American tour will begin in Uruguay, continue through Argentina and end in Peru, but this time it will not include Paraguay. That is why Paraguayan faithful who want to see the Pope up close can travel to Argentina, and driving is a very good option given the high demand for flights.

Where and when will the Pope's Masses in Argentina take place?

The planned schedule includes three Masses open to the faithful:

• Monday, November 9, at 11:30 a.m.: Monumento de los Españoles, in the Palermo neighborhood (City of Buenos Aires).
• Tuesday, November 10, at 10 a.m.: grounds of the Escuela de Aviación Militar (Military Aviation School), in the City of Córdoba.
• Wednesday, November 11, at 10 a.m.: Plaza de la Basílica de Luján, about 80 kilometers from Palermo. This will be the Pope's last Mass in Argentina.

How to get from Asunción to Buenos Aires by car?

The distance between Asunción and Buenos Aires is about 1,300 kilometers, with an estimated driving time of 15 hours. Ideally, the trip should be done over a day and a half, with a stop halfway.

The most common route is to cross the border at Clorinda and take National Route 11, which runs through Formosa, Resistencia and Santa Fe. From Rosario, the trip continues on the Rosario-Buenos Aires Highway (National Route 9).

How to get from Asunción to Córdoba by car?

Driving from Asunción to the City of Córdoba also takes about 15 hours, covering a distance of around 1,200 kilometers. It is advisable to split the trip over two days or share the driving between two drivers.

The recommended route is to take National Route 11 south, through Formosa and Santa Fe, and then connect to Córdoba via provincial routes (such as RP39, RP23, RP17 or RP10), depending on the chosen section.

What to keep in mind if you drive to the Mass in Luján?

The Security Ministry of the Province of Buenos Aires plans to close vehicle access to Luján from Tuesday, November 10, at 12 noon. Those arriving by car or bus will be able to use designated parking areas along routes 5, 7, 47 and 192, from where they will have to walk about seven kilometers to the city.

Another option is the train: on the Sarmiento line, changing at Moreno, you can reach Luján Station, from where it is a 3.3-kilometer walk to the Mass area.

What documents do you need to cross the border by car?

Personal documents

• Valid identity card (cédula de identidad) or passport.
• Valid driver's license.

Vehicle documents

• Vehicle registration card (cédula verde).
• Notarized authorization: if the car is not registered in the driver's name, a legalized authorization to drive abroad is mandatory.
• International insurance (Carta Verde): it must be valid and specify extended coverage for Argentina.

When should you book accommodation?

As soon as possible: these will be days of very high hotel demand in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján. Once that is sorted out, all that's left is to make the most of the weekend to drive, travel safely and enjoy the journey.