Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires as part of the second leg of a 12-day Latin America tour. During his visit, the pontiff delivered a stinging critique of President Javier Milei's harsh austerity measures, stating that the economy must be at the service of the people rather than people serving the economy. He urged the Argentine government to ensure that economic growth benefits the poor and protects the vulnerable.
The pope emphasized the need to support those most in need as President Milei cuts social services and disability care. During a visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione, a facility caring for over 400 people that has been severely affected by austerity cuts to healthcare and social services, the pontiff remarked that a nation's progress should be judged by how it treats its most needy citizens.
Beyond economic concerns, Pope Leo XIV urged President Milei and Argentina's political leadership to safeguard democracy, address political divisions, and exercise careful use of words. He also called for the maintenance of Latin American unity while two of the region's largest economies endure a tense bilateral relationship.
The visit included a mass in Buenos Aires attended by an estimated 2.5 million people, marking the pontiff's largest gathering of the tour so far.