Leo urges democratic listening and public integrity in Buenos Aires
Pope Leo XIV told President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on Sunday that the economy must serve people rather than place people at the service of the economy. His speech drew applause. Speaking shortly after arriving from Uruguay on the second stop of a 12-day Latin America tour, the 71-year-old pontiff also stressed the plight of people who work hard but struggle to meet their household’s needs. His comments came as Argentina’s poverty rate increased to 32.3% in September and Milei faced criticism over spending cuts.
A photograph showed Pope Leo shaking hands with President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on 8 November.
Leo’s comments came during a visit that followed three years of austerity under Milei, and Argentines had called for a pontiff who might help ease the country’s divisions. Argentina was divided between Milei’s supporters and opponents, and Argentines hoped Pope Leo XIV, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, would help unify the country. The visit was the first by a pontiff to Argentina in nearly four decades. The local Catholic Church had already criticized Milei for treating key social services solely as a budgetary constraint, while Milei’s relationship with Leo had remained cordial.
The Guardian reported that Leo criticized Milei’s austerity measures in his address and insisted that economic growth benefit all. Leo said, “The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy.” He also stressed the plight of those who, “despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs.”
He spoke in defense of the poor and pensioners and urged, “particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability.” The Guardian characterized that appeal as “a veiled reference” to the government’s controversial cuts to disability assistance.
Leo also told Milei that strengthening democracy required a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words.” The Guardian described Milei as known for “foul-mouthed diatribes.”
In Buenos Aires, Leo stressed “personal integrity” in public office and said, “corruption undermines the confidence of citizens in their institutions.”
Milei came to office promising to revive Argentina’s economy and reduce inflation by shrinking the welfare state, particularly public hospitals, universities and pensioners. The poverty rate fluctuated after he took office and reached 32.3% in September.
Milei has also been criticized for restricting several democratic freedoms, including the right to protest. He retains a loyal supporter base built around efforts to drastically reduce inflation. The Guardian characterized Milei, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, as having “a similar combative style.”
Argentina is the home country of the late Pope Francis, and Leo said he was “retracing” Francis’s steps. Milei had a tense relationship with Francis, whom he had insulted for his pro-poor teachings. On the campaign trail, Milei called his countryman an “imbecile” for championing social justice. The Guardian reported that Milei softened his tone after taking office but continued to heap insults on the press and opposition.
Public reaction reflected hopes for unity. 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, said, “Just like the World Cup unites us, hopefully the pope will too.”
Hundreds more chanting “Papa Leon” — Spanish for Leo — gathered outside the presidential palace, where Leo was hosted by Milei.
Brian Inacio Rodriguez, a 26-year-old job seeker, spent five days travelling overland from Ushuaia, at the very tip of South America, to see the pontiff. He said he hoped he brought “much peace to Argentina.”
After laying a wreath in Plaza San Martin in Buenos Aires, Leo was pictured with Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno. Leo arrived in Buenos Aires from Uruguay, where he began his first trip as pope to Latin America, the world’s most Catholic continent, which is becoming increasingly secular. In Uruguay, he condemned drug violence and urged an end to child poverty.
The Argentine stage of the visit aimed to strengthen Catholic faith in Argentina. Argentines had been disappointed by Francis’s failure to visit during his papacy. The Argentine stage was also expected to act as a litmus test of support for the Catholic Church. A recent University of Buenos Aires poll found 57.7% of people identified as Catholic, down from about 90% in the 1960s. The church has said it expects 7 million to attend the various events.
Leo will visit a home for disabled people and a prison and celebrate three open-air masses. Leo, 71, is on the 12-day tour of the continent, just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.