Pope Leo urges Argentine President Milei to put people before economy

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday, where he urged President Javier Milei to safeguard democracy and ensure economic growth benefits the poor, DW, France 24, and the South China Morning Post reported. Speaking directly to Milei and government officials, the pontiff stated that the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy, according to DW and France 24. Al Jazeera and France 24 noted that the visit marks the first papal trip to Argentina in nearly four decades. [1][3][5][6]

The pontiff delivered his remarks following three years of austerity policies under Milei, France 24 reported. PBS NewsHour and France 24 both characterized the speech as a critique of Milei's austerity measures and libertarian agenda. The South China Morning Post added that Pope Leo urged the nation to protect its democracy during a address to Milei, whom the outlet described as a close ally of United States President Donald Trump. [2][3][6]

Argentina is the second stop on Pope Leo's 12-day South American tour, following his initial departure from Uruguay, according to France 24 and the South China Morning Post. PBS NewsHour reported that the visit is the most politically delicate leg of his three-nation tour, noting that the pontiff faces the complicated legacy of the late Argentine Pope Francis, who did not return to his home country during his 12-year pontificate. [2][3][6]

Milei has served as the president of Argentina since 2023, after serving in the Chamber of Deputies from 2021 to 2023. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Milei holds opposing views to Pope Leo XIV on numerous issues, including federal workforce cuts and public spending reductions. [13][14][15]