Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday and told President Javier Milei and other officials that political and economic life must put people first, opening a three-day visit to Argentina that is the most politically sensitive stop on his South American tour.1,2,3,4
Speaking to officials, diplomats and civic leaders after arriving from Uruguay, Leo said, "The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy," and said democracy depends on careful language and respect for opponents. The visit is the first by a pope since John Paul II traveled to Argentina in 1987 and comes as Leo confronts the legacy of Argentine Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate.1,2,3,4
"Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service," Leo said in his address opening the Argentina stop. "Those who exercise authority have a duty to act with prudence, to acknowledge the limits of the power entrusted to them, and to direct their decisions toward the good of the entire community," he said. He said democracy is "part of Argentina's heritage that needs to be safeguarded" and is reinforced by "the patient search for agreement, and through the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens with whom we share a common future."1,2,3
Milei, joined by his sister and presidential secretary Karina Milei at Jorge Newbery airport, welcomed politicians, diplomats and civil society representatives in a conciliatory tone and paid tribute to Francis. The president, who once called Francis the "representative of evil on Earth," called him an "exceptional figure" and "undoubtedly the most important Argentine in history" whose teachings continue to resonate. He told the gathering of politicians, diplomats and civil society representatives, "There are causes and occasions that transcend our differences," and said in his welcoming message that he hoped the trip would "strengthen the faith, renew hope and bring a message of peace to all Argentines."1,4
On the economy, Leo did not name Milei's program directly but urged Argentina to encourage "whatever creates opportunities" and "stimulates private initiative" while ensuring growth reaches the disadvantaged. "Efforts should be made to promote whatever creates opportunities, stimulates private initiative and ensures that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged," he said, pointing to the unemployed, retirees and "all those who, despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household's needs."1,2,3
Milei has defended the spending cuts as necessary to control inflation. His government has portrayed the cuts as part of a necessary reform process to remake Argentina's troubled economy and eliminate fraud and waste. The reports differed on the current inflation figure: PBS put it at about 32 percent, down from 200 percent, while The Independent put it at 33 percent, down from over 200 percent. PBS reported that the program has produced a budget surplus, but that real wages remain below their level when Milei took office in late 2023, about 300,000 formal jobs have disappeared, and retirees living on an average monthly pension of $510 have protested outside Congress every Wednesday for more than two years saying they cannot afford medicine. PBS reported the widespread complaint that families cannot make it to the end of the month, which Milei has mocked as "huge stupidity."1,2
Ahead of the trip, Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello said, "There's no way the pope is coming here to comment on local politics." Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who came to power in 2023 campaigning with a chainsaw to symbolize spending cuts, has described social justice as "a horror," a "moral aberration" and "theft" in recent speeches. The Independent described him as a close ally of United States President Donald Trump who has said he plans to seek re-election next year, and said he has faced accusations of weakening democracy through divisive language and attacks on journalists, including branding critics "traitors" and "human trash" on social media. Polls cited in the reports indicate his approval has declined as Argentines face reduced subsidies, public-sector job cuts and business failures.1,2
Leo also addressed technology, saying innovation must be accompanied by "ethical consciousness." Milei has advocated for growth in artificial intelligence and said he wants to make Argentina a major destination for data centers. The Catholic Church has criticized the austerity measures, which included cuts to social spending and safety-net programs including disability allowances, and some clergy have taken part in protests against them. Poverty remains a central issue despite falling from its peak in Milei's first year, the reports said.2,4
The visit comes amid declining Catholic affiliation in Argentina. A Pew Research Center survey found the share of Argentines identifying as Catholic fell from 71 percent in 2013-2014 to 58 percent a decade later, while Catholics remain the largest religious group in Latin America with as many as 425 million adherents. Francis, born in Buenos Aires in 1936 as the first pope from the Americas, died in 2025 without visiting Argentina as pope after a contentious relationship in which Milei called him a "communist" and an "imbecile who defends social justice." Leo, 71, the first United States-born pope, spent two decades as a missionary priest in Peru, gained Peruvian citizenship and spent years serving as a bishop there. Milei was raised Catholic but has suggested he considered converting to Judaism.1,2,4
Thousands of people lined the pope's route into central Buenos Aires waving Vatican and Argentine flags, and nuns in tan habits chanted, "The pope is here, you can feel it." "It's been almost 40 years, 39 exactly, that the pope hasn't come to Argentina," said Claudia Sona, who traveled from the northern province of Salta. "For Catholics, and I think for non-Catholics, this is a rebirth." "Without a doubt, it gives us great joy that this pope is visiting us," said Jorge Silanes, religious director at the Pequeno Cottolengo Don Orione home for people with disabilities in Buenos Aires province. Officials in Argentina estimate up to 7 million people could see the pope during the visit, part of an intensive 50-event, three-nation trip scheduled to run until Nov. 17. Leo, who underwent lung cancer surgery less than a month ago, had spent three days in Uruguay and cast a vote by mail in the United States midterm elections last week.2,3,4
In Argentina, Leo is scheduled to attend a welcome ceremony at Plaza San Martin, meet Milei at the Casa Rosada presidential palace, visit four Argentine cities through Wednesday, celebrate Mass in Buenos Aires, Lujan and the province of Cordoba, and visit a detention center and a care center for people with disabilities. He then travels to Peru on Wednesday. "Any interventions by Leo, particularly on poverty, the limits of markets or confrontational political rhetoric, could be read as implicit criticism of Milei and amplify existing opposition to the government's approach," said Nicolas Watson, a managing director at advisory firm Teneo. Sociologist Veronica Gimenez Beliveau of the University of Buenos Aires said, "Milei doesn't win anything by fighting with (Leo)." The Rev. Lorenzo "Toto" de Vedia, who works with poor communities in a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, said, "Leo is going to make the visit that Francis never did."2,4
