Pope Leo XIV issued a sharp critique of President Javier Milei’s aggressive economic austerity during his visit to Buenos Aires, insisting that national growth must serve the entire population rather than the interests of the economy alone. His remarks, delivered shortly after arriving for the second leg of his 12-day Latin American tour, received widespread support from the crowd.
Addressing the challenges facing the nation, the 71-year-old pontiff emphasized the struggles of citizens who remain unable to meet basic household needs despite their dedicated labor. He specifically advocated for the poor and pensioners, urging the administration to show compassion toward the ill, dependent, and disabled—a pointed reference to the government’s recent cuts to social assistance programs. Insisting that “particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability” – a veiled reference to the government’s controversial cuts to disability assistance, he spoke out in defence of the poor and pensioners. A 26-year-old job seeker, spent five days travelling overland from Ushuaia, at the very tip of South America, to see the pontiff, brian Inacio Rodriguez.
The Pope also addressed Milei directly regarding his combative political style.
Known for using harsh rhetoric, the President was reminded by Leo that a healthy democracy relies on a willingness to engage in dialogue and the careful selection of language. Despite having undergone lung cancer surgery only three weeks prior, the pontiff is retracing the steps of his predecessor, Francis, in an attempt to bridge the bitter ideological divisions separating Argentine society. Known for his foul-mouthed diatribes, that strengthening democracy required a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words”, he also told Milei.
The visit comes at a sensitive time for the country, which has not hosted a papal tour in nearly four decades. As the head of the global Catholic Church, Leo arrived from Uruguay, where he previously spoke out against child poverty and drug-related violence. While Milei’s administration maintains a core base of supporters due to his efforts to curb inflation, the poverty rate has fluctuated significantly since he took office, reaching 32.3% in September. Which is bitterly divided between supporters and opponents of Milei, argentines are hoping the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics will help unite the country. According to he, He hoped he brought “much peace to Argentina”. The poverty rate has swung wildly since he came to power – increasing to 32.3% in September. But he maintains a loyal supporter base for drastically reducing inflation.
Public sentiment remains complex. Recent polling from the University of Buenos Aires indicates that the percentage of citizens identifying as Catholic has fallen to 57.7%, a significant decline from the 90% recorded in the 1960s. The Church expects roughly 7 million attendees across the Pope’s various scheduled events, which include visits to a prison and a care facility for the disabled, as well as three open-air masses.
The relationship between the Vatican and the Argentine government remains under scrutiny. During his campaign, Milei famously insulted Francis for his focus on social justice, though his tone toward the papacy has shifted since entering the presidential palace. Nevertheless, the local Catholic hierarchy has consistently challenged the government for viewing essential social services as mere budgetary burdens. On the campaign trail the cost-cutting economist called his countryman an “imbecile” for championing social justice.
In addition to his critique of economic policy, the Pope spoke on the importance of integrity, warning that corruption erodes citizen trust in public institutions. For many locals, the visit carries symbolic weight. Supporters, such as retired teacher Liliana Deblauwe, expressed hope that the Pope’s presence might unify a fractured nation, drawing parallels to the shared national pride typically reserved for the World Cup. According to “Just like the World Cup unites us, hopefully the pope will too,”, Liliana Deblauwe, a 68-year-old retired teacher who waited with hundreds of people to see the pope visit a monument to liberation hero Jose de San Martin.
As the tour continues, it serves as a critical test for both the Church’s influence and Milei’s governing strategy. With his close alignment to figures like Donald Trump, Milei faces ongoing domestic criticism for his restrictions on protests and his combative approach to opposition, keeping the nation focused on the intersection of faith and public policy.
