Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, the second stop of a 12-day Latin American tour, just three weeks after lung cancer surgery. The visit is the first by a pontiff to Argentina in nearly four decades, and he was met with rapturous applause as he delivered a pointed critique of President Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures. I see this trip as a direct challenge to the government’s economic agenda, which has left the country bitterly divided after three years of radical spending cuts. The Vatican describes the 71-year-old pope as having undergone a successful operation for a tumour that has not spread, yet his presence carries immense political weight.
A stinging critique of policy
Leo insisted that "the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy." He stressed the plight of those who, "despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs," urging particular concern for those affected by illness, dependency, and disability. This last point serves as a veiled reference to the government’s controversial cuts to disability assistance, a move the Catholic Church has denounced for hitting the poorest hardest. The poverty rate has swung wildly since Milei came to power, increasing to 32.3% in September, while the president targets public hospitals, universities, and pensioners to tame runaway inflation.
In what appeared to be a rebuke of Milei’s combative style, Leo said strengthening democracy required a "willingness to listen" and the "careful use of words." He warned that corruption undermines confidence in institutions and that those who exercise authority have a duty to act with prudence. Milei, known for foul-mouthed diatribes, responded by saying his government works to avoid "punishing the Argentines of tomorrow in order to benefit the Argentines of today." The Argentine leader defended his libertarian policies, claiming rights to life, liberty, and property are the backbone of Western democracies. He also struck a conciliatory tone regarding Leo’s predecessor, calling Francis an "exceptional figure" and "undoubtedly the most important Argentine in history," despite previously labeling him "evil on earth" and a "communist."
Faith and division in Buenos Aires
Hundreds chanting "Papa Leon" gathered outside the presidential palace where Milei hosted the pope, while others waited to see him visit a monument to liberation hero Jose de San Martin. Liliana Deblauwe, a 68-year-old retired teacher, hoped the pope would unite the country much like the World Cup does. Brian Inacio Rodriguez, a 26-year-old job seeker, spent five days travelling overland from Ushuaia to witness the visit, hoping it brings "much peace to Argentina." The church expects 7 million people to attend various events, including a home for disabled people and a prison, though a recent University of Buenos Aires poll shows only 57.7% identify as Catholic, down from about 90% in the 1960s.
Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, maintains a loyal supporter base for drastically reducing inflation, even as critics accuse him of restricting democratic freedoms such as the right to protest. The local Catholic church has heavily criticised him for treating social services solely as a budgetary constraint. Leo will celebrate three open-air masses, aiming to boost flagging faith in a nation disappointed by Francis’s failure to visit during his own papacy. I find the contrast between the pope’s call for care and the president’s focus on fiscal discipline stark, but the sheer scale of the crowds suggests many Argentines are eager for any sign of unity. The visit acts as a litmus test for support of the church, with millions expected to gather despite the deep political rifts.
