Pope Leo Gives Veiled Rebuke Argentine Leader Milei's Austerity Measures
The pope’s itinerary includes a disability care center and a prison as Church criticism of Milei’s spending cuts intensifies.
- Pope Leo arrived in Argentina on Sunday for a 12-day South American tour, marking the first Catholic leader's visit since 1987. Argentine President Javier Milei greeted him at Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery airport.
- This visit reflects tensions between the Vatican and Milei, whose austerity agenda has faced Church criticism for disproportionately affecting the poor. Milei defends his economic campaign, claiming inflation has fallen from over 200% to 33%.
- Milei, who once called Leo's predecessor Francis "an imbecile," sought to repair relations before the pope's arrival. The 71-year-old pontiff will tour multiple cities through Wednesday, including visits to a prison and a disability care center.
- Addressing national leaders, the pope has recently emerged as a forceful voice on the world stage, often decrying the direction of global leadership. His speech to the Argentine president will be carefully parsed for diplomatic signals.
- Ahead of elections next year, Milei's popularity has slipped as citizens contend with subsidy cuts and business closures. Sociologist Fortunato Mallimaci at Conicet noted the visit may create unity for those feeling excluded by Milei's policies.
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'The economy must be at the service of the people, other than people being at the service of the economy,' the pontiff said, shortly after landing in Argentina on the second leg of a Latin America tour.
Pope Leos strong message to Argentine President Milei, ensure economic growth benefits disadvantaged - The Tribune
"Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service, when it looks beyond the immediate, and when it uses its power to promote the welfare of all," Pope Leo said.
During his visit to Argentina, Pope Leo XIV criticized right-wing President Javier Mellie, the ally of President Donald Trump of the United States, in particular economic policies that put pressure on citizens.
The Pope reaches the second stop of his trip to South America: Argentina. It is a country in reconstruction, the "chain saws" policy of the libertarian president Milei provides for massive social upheavals. Leo XIV also addresses this in his speech.
Pope Leo arrives in Milei's Argentina as tensions loom over austerity, Iran
By Joshua McElwee and Leila Miller BUENOS AIRES, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Pope Leo arrived in Argentina from Uruguay on Sunday for the second leg of a 12-day tour across South America, ahead of a closely
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