Pope Leo heads to Milei's Argentina as tensions loom over austerity, Iran
- On Sunday, November 8, 2026, Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires for a three-day Argentine tour, meeting President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada for a formal welcome ceremony aimed at helping mend deep national divisions.
- President Milei's austerity measures have slashed social spending since December 2023, affecting public hospitals and pensioners, prompting the Catholic Church to criticize the government for prioritizing fiscal surplus over the needs of the poor.
- On Monday, November 9, Leo will visit the Cottolengo Don Orione facility, a care center housing 410 residents with disabilities, drawing attention to the tangible impact of government spending cuts on vulnerable populations.
- In his first address, the pope called for the defense of democracy and a 'careful use of words,' urging leaders to acknowledge the limits of power, a message that contrasts sharply with Milei's combative political rhetoric.
- The tour marks the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly 40 years, ending the long absence of Pope Francis, and positions Leo as a potential mediator in a country bitterly divided over Milei's economic policies.
340 Articles
340 Articles
Pope Leo urges Argentina's Milei to put people before the economy
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday, urging to protect democracy and ensure economic growth benefits the poor. The pope's remarks were widely watched for criticism of President Javier Milei's harsh austerity programs and cuts affecting social services. While Leo did not address the government's policies directly, he said "the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy." Talking …
At the beginning of his visit to Argentina, Pope Leo XIV criticised President Milei's "chain saw policy" and called for more consideration. For almost four decades, no Pope has been a guest in the South American country.
People must come first, Pope tells Argentina
Pope Leo XIV delivered a diplomatic but subtly strong critique of Argentine President Javier Milei’s austerity measures and libertarian agenda as he arrived in Argentina on Sunday, insisting that political leaders must put people, not the economy, first. Leo used his first public speech in Argentina to lay out a vision of governance, democracy and society sharply at odds with Milei’s, exposing differences over spending cuts, social justice and a…
Pope Leo has called upon President Javier Milei in Argentina to improve the lives of all citizens and to be mindful of the limits of power.
Sharp points about the exercise of power and economic policy during the Pontiff's historic visit to Buenos Aires
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