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President Milei welcomes Pope Leo during historic visit to Argentina
President Javier Milei welcomed Pope Leo XIV to Argentina, where the pontiff’s visit comes amid tensions over the government’s austerity policies and the Church’s criticism of cuts to support for poorer people. The trip is significant as the first papal visit to Argentina since 1987, and as Leo visits the home country of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who never travelled there as pope.
Leo, 71 and the first US-born pope, arrived after spending three days in Uruguay and will stay in Argentina until Wednesday. His programme includes meetings with Milei and other officials, visits to a prison, and Masses in Buenos Aires, Lujan and Cordoba; Catholics remain Latin America’s largest religious group, though Argentina’s share fell from 71 per cent in 2013–14 to 58 per cent a decade later.
In short
- Pope Leo XIV began his first papal visit to Argentina since 1987.
- He is due to meet Milei amid disputes over austerity and social spending.
- Argentina’s self-identified Catholic share fell from 71% to 58% in a decade.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Milei’s austerity policies argue that reducing public spending is necessary to address Argentina’s economic crisis, bring government finances under control and create conditions for lasting recovery. They may also say that a papal visit should be welcomed as a national and religious occasion, while policy disagreements remain open to debate.
The case against
Critics argue that cuts to support for poorer people impose serious costs on those least able to bear them, and that the Church is right to press the government to protect vulnerable communities. They may see the pope’s visit as an important opportunity to draw attention to those effects and urge a different balance between fiscal restraint and social obligations.