Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the highest authority of the Catholic Church in Argentina, criticized the lack of action against poverty in Argentina and warned of a "dramatic situation" as he was leading the traditional San Cajetan mass, a day after the Church unveiled a statement from Pope Benedict XVI denouncing a state of "scandalous poverty."

"We're noticing situation of dramatic poverty and unemployment," said Bergoglio in Liniers. "More and more people are sleeping in the streets, and they have become disposable materials," he added. Bergoglio, a critic of the Kirchner administration, echoed the word of the Pope and said the local church also noticed "scandalous poverty." The cardinal regretted "growing unemplyment" and urged the authorities to take action to improve labour conditions.

The plea to combat poverty made by the Holy See yesterday caused an uproar that Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández implied was fuelled by a section of the media, which he claimed had turned a routine statement into something extraordinary.

The pope issued the statement in support of the annual fundraiser by the local Catholic charity Cáritas. Benedict XVI encouraged "Christians and those who take part in raising funds to make an effort that contributes to reduce the scandal of poverty and social inequity" in Argentina.

The pope sent his statement to the Catholic Church hierarchy in support of its charity.

The statement prompted Fernández to call a snap press conference in the evening to address the issue. He "begged" the media to "consider what they say."
The pope's statement comes on the heels of a dispute between the Catholic Church and the government over Argentina's poverty rate.

The doors of the San Cajetan church in the Buenos Aires City neighbourhood of Liniers opened at midnight yesterday, as thousands of faithful gathered to ask for work and food. The traditional catholic ceremony gained special importance this year, as it took place only hours after Pope Benedict XVI sent a message to the Argentine government demanding for action to combat "scandalous poverty."

The first person to enter the church after midnight was Delia Noris Lencina, a 66-year-old hairdresser who every year walks the distance between the entrance of the church and the temple on her knees.
About 100 priests, aides, nuns and thousands of Catholics are expected to attend the main mass today.

• Pope says Argentina should make "an effort" to reduce poverty

• Aníbal Fernández: 'Poverty hurts us all'