South Americaupdated 23m ago3 min read
Pope Leo XIV Tells Milei to Put People Before Economy in Buenos Aires Remarks
“there were suggestions from some of the president's supporters online that the pope, who is returning to duty just a month after cancer surgery, had overstepped his role.”
“Leo took up that message of peace, opening with a call for gentler politics in deeply polarized Argentina.”
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Pope Leo XIV urged putting people before the economy and protecting democracy. His remarks criticized Milei's austerity and social-service cuts, sparking wide attention.
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Pope Leo’s message in Buenos Aires
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina and delivered remarks in Buenos Aires that framed governance around people rather than the economy, telling officials, diplomats and civic leaders: "The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy." Deutsche Welle said Leo also told Milei and other government officials that those who, "despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household's needs" should be at the center of policy. Milei’s government had sought to avoid a political clash before the pope’s arrival, and Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello said, "There's no way the pope is coming here to comment on local politics."
“The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy.”
Pope Leo XIV also called for democracy to be safeguarded, saying it was "part of Argentina's heritage that needs to be safeguarded," as he continued his South America tour after arriving from Uruguay. Deutsche Welle reported that Leo, who underwent surgery for lung cancer less than a month ago, was scheduled to visit several cities in the Catholic-majority country before continuing to Peru on Wednesday.
Milei, austerity, and church criticism
Javier Milei’s austerity drive and libertarian agenda formed the backdrop to Leo’s visit, and Milei’s officials had portrayed the cuts as reform to remake Argentina's economy and eliminate fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy. Pope Leo XIV told officials that "careful use of words" and the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens were essential for democracy, as he opened with a call for gentler politics in deeply polarized Argentina. Milei had previously dismissed criticism from the Catholic Church, and Deutsche Welle said he went as far as calling Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, an "imbecile."
Deutsche Welle said Milei struck a conciliatory note on Sunday by praising Francis as an "exceptional figure" and the "most important Argentine in history," while the pope’s remarks were widely watched for criticism of Milei's harsh austerity programs and cuts affecting social services. DW reported that after Leo’s earlier remarks, some of the president's supporters suggested the pope had overstepped his role, even as Leo responded, "I do not look at my role as being political, a politician."
Election stakes and political leverage
DW said the longer-term question was whether Leo’s perceived criticisms of Milei would make a difference in Argentina's general election in October 2027, with Justin McLellan arguing that the visit could influence the election by supporting Argentine bishops critical of Milei’s austerity policies and cuts to social programs. DW quoted McLellan saying, "I think that that could have an impact in the election and that it will elevate and raise the voice of the Catholic Church in Argentina." Deutsche Welle said Leo’s words carried particular significance ahead of the 2027 presidential election in which Milei has said he will seek another term, and it linked the pope’s message to the country’s political polarization.
Deutsche Welle also reported that Argentina’s bishops’ conference published 44 documents on public policy between January 2024 and September 2026, and sociologist Sol Prieto said 42 of them criticized Milei's administration. DW said Jocelyne Cesari argued Leo’s strategy positioned him as a moral authority rather than a figure telling people to vote for X or Y, describing the pope’s role as applying moral teachings to social life while leaving personal decisions to voters.