Pope Leo urges Argentina's Milei to put people before the economy
Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Argentina on the first papal visit to the country since John Paul II traveled there in 1987, urging President Javier Milei to protect democratic institutions and ensure economic growth benefits the poor. Speaking to government officials in Buenos Aires, the 71-year-old pontiff—who underwent surgery for lung cancer less than a month ago—emphasized that the economy must serve the people rather than the reverse, highlighting the plight of working households facing severe financial strain. Arriving from Uruguay before continuing to Peru, Leo's visit also brings renewed focus to the legacy of Pope Francis, the nation's first pope, who died in April 2025 without returning home during his 12-year papacy.
The pontiff's remarks address the social fallout of Milei's aggressive fiscal austerity. While the administration has successfully brought annual inflation down from over 200% to approximately 33%, aggressive spending reductions have slashed funding for pensions, disability assistance, social welfare, and public universities, fueling widespread anger over layoffs and business closures. Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump who once dismissed church criticism and called Francis an "imbecile," struck a conciliatory tone on Sunday, praising the late pope as an exceptional figure and the most important Argentine in history. Ahead of the 2027 presidential race, Pope Leo reminded leaders that safeguarding democracy requires prudence, careful speech, and an active willingness to listen.
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