South Americaupdated 27m ago3 min read
Archive photo · 12 May 2025Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Argentina, Meets President Javier Milei at Casa Rosada
10 Western Mainstream3 Latin American2 Other3 Other source typesPhoto: Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Pope Leo XIV arrives in Argentina for first papal visit in about 40 years. He is greeted by President Javier Milei at the airport.
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Arrival in Buenos Aires
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday, landing at 16:34 local time at Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires after coming from Uruguay, and he was received by President Javier Milei and Karina Milei. A guard of honor greeted the pope as he descended from the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and the Argentine president exchanged a few words with him at the foot of the stairs. Leo XIV offered a floral tribute to José de San Martín, then met Milei at the Casa Rosada, received the keys to the city of Buenos Aires, and participated in a meeting with civil society and the diplomatic corps at the Palacio Libertad.
The pope’s schedule in Argentina runs until Wednesday, and it includes a Monday visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, a Mass at the Monument to the Spaniards, and a Tuesday trip to Córdoba before a Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. Jorge Silanes said, “Without a doubt, it gives us great joy that this pope is visiting us.”
Speech and church tensions
Pope Leo XIV used his first speech in Buenos Aires to call on Argentine President Javier Milei and political leaders to “safeguard democracy” and demonstrate a “careful use of words.” The pope told officials, diplomats and civic leaders, “The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy,” as he urged that growth reach those facing the greatest difficulties. Milei welcomed Leo at the Casa Rosada, and the visit unfolded amid criticism from the Catholic Church of Milei’s austerity measures that included slashing social spending and safety-net programmes for the poor.
Nicolas Watson said, “Any interventions by Leo, particularly on poverty, the limits of markets or confrontational political rhetoric, could be read as implicit criticism of Milei.” France 24 quoted Leo saying, “the economy must be at the service of the person, and not the person at the service of the economy.”
Next stops and what’s at risk
Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary in Argentina includes a Monday visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole and a Wednesday stop at the Federal Penitentiary Complex of Buenos Aires, known as the Devoto prison. CNN en Español said the prison visit would coincide with the process of emptying Devoto, with the national Government transferring more than 1,400 inmates to the new Federal Penitentiary Complex VIII in Marcos Paz, while “About 70 inmates will remain in Devoto to receive the pontiff.” Clarin said the pope’s welcome ceremony would begin at 5:20 p.m. at the Casa Rosada and that he would meet President Javier Milei at 5:50 p.m., with later meetings at the Libertad Palace with authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps.
“About 70 inmates will remain in Devoto to receive the pontiff.”
NBC News said the pope’s speech was closely watched because Milei’s austerity agenda has been criticized by the Church for hitting the poorest most and because Milei has strongly supported the Iran war that Leo has criticized. Leo will remain in Argentina until Wednesday and meet officials, diplomats and civil society representatives, while the visit takes place as Catholic membership shrinks in Latin America and as tensions with politicians like Milei persist.