Pope Leo arrives in Argentina and urges Milei to put people before the economy
The pope's visit follows a stop in Uruguay and is expected to be the most politically sensitive leg of his South America tour.
Latest · Nov 9 Pope Leo has arrived in Argentina, where he urged Milei to put people before the economy, after the Uruguay stop.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday and delivered a measured but pointed message to President Javier Milei. He said political leaders must put people ahead of the economy, a direct challenge to Milei's austerity measures and libertarian agenda.
Before arriving in Argentina, the pope finished a visit to Uruguay, where tens of thousands of people attended a Mass in Florida. The Vatican estimated 50,000 people were present in a city of about 40,000. In his homily, he thanked mothers and grandmothers for passing on the faith.
The Argentina stop is the second leg of a 12-day, three-country South America tour. Church leaders have sharply criticized Milei's austerity program, and the visit is expected to be the most politically delicate part of the trip.
Key points
- Pope Leo XIV criticized Milei's austerity and libertarian agenda upon arrival.
- He said people should come before the economy.
- The pope finished a Uruguay visit with a Mass attended by tens of thousands.
- The Argentina visit is part of a 12-day, three-country tour.
Read the original reporting (2)
Earlier coverage
- Pope Leo ends Uruguay visit and travels to Argentina for politically sensitive stop
Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by praising mothers and grandmothers who passed the Catholic faith to younger generations. He celebrated a Mass in Florida, north of Montevideo, for a feast day tied to the country's independence.
The Vatican estimated 50,000 people attended the Mass in a city of about 40,000 residents. Leo became the first pope in nearly four decades to visit Uruguay, a country known for its secular history.
Next, the pope heads to Argentina, the second stop on his 12-day tour of South America. The stop is expected to be the most politically delicate because the Church has sharply criticized the austerity program of libertarian President Javier Milei.
Why it mattered: The pope's visit to Argentina comes as Milei's economic policies draw scrutiny, and the Catholic Church's influence in the region matters to American diplomacy in Latin America. Pope Leo is the first American-born pope, so his travels carry particular interest in the United States.
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