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Pope Leo XIV has stated that Argentina’s economy must benefit everyone, including the poor, delivering a diplomatic yet pointed critique of President Javier Milei’s austerity measures. The pontiff made the remarks upon arriving in Buenos Aires for the second stop of a 12-day Latin American tour, just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
Political Sensitivity and Economic Critique
This leg of the journey was anticipated to be the most politically sensitive part of the trip, as the Catholic Church has strongly denounced President Milei’s agenda of cutting public spending for disproportionately harming the poorest citizens. In response to the papal comments, the right-wing leader defended his policies by stating his administration is working to avoid punishing future generations of Argentines for the benefit of current ones.
Addressing the gathering, Pope Leo emphasized that the economy needs to serve the people instead of making people serve the economy. He highlighted the difficulties faced by individuals who struggle to provide for their households despite working hard, while also calling for specific attention toward people impacted by illness, dependency, and disability. This last point was viewed as a veiled reference to the government’s controversial reductions in disability assistance.
Democracy and Past Tensions
Commenting on political conduct, the Pope stated that reinforcing democracy demands a readiness to listen and a careful selection of words, which appeared to be a critique of Milei’s confrontational style and language. Historically, Milei had been very vocal against the pontiff’s predecessor, Pope Francis, previously labeling him as evil on earth and a communist due to his promotion of social justice doctrines.
However, Milei adopted a conciliatory tone, describing Francis as an exceptional figure and the most significant Argentine in history. The president had earlier posted on social media that Argentina awaited the current Pope with immense joy. During his address, Pope Leo further advised the nation to protect its democracy, noting that authorities must act prudently, recognize the boundaries of their power, and guide their choices toward the well-being of the whole community.
Defence of Libertarian Policies and Health Update
Welcoming the pontiff, President Milei defended his libertarian agenda by arguing that the rights to life, liberty, and property form the foundation of the Argentine constitution and Western democracies. Milei, who plans to run for re-election next year, is a strong ally of US President Donald Trump, who has previously criticized Pope Leo over his stance against the Iran war. The current papal visit is regarded as a tribute to Pope Francis, who never visited his homeland during his papacy.
Regarding his medical status, Vatican representatives stated that no special precautions are being implemented for the Pope’s health, characterizing him as a 71-year-old post-surgery patient rather than someone suffering from a permanent medical condition. Last month’s tumor removal surgery was successful, and medical staff confirmed the cancer has not spread.
