Pope Leo XIV prepares for trip to Argentina

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to begin the first full day of his trip to Argentina on Monday, 9 November. The Guardian reported that his first stop will be the Cottolengo Don Orione, a Catholic-run home for disabled people in Claypole, located about 26 kilometres from Buenos Aires. Residents and staff at the home have been rehearsing choir performances and positions outside the sanctuary ahead of the arrival, according to the Guardian. Vatican News and Diocese of Tucson News both reported that Argentina is awaiting the pontiff's arrival. [1][2][3]

The visit sets up a political showdown with Argentina's hyper-capitalist President Javier Milei, the Guardian reported. President Milei holds opposing views to the pope on many issues and once referred to the predecessor of Pope Leo as the representative of the Evil One, according to the Guardian. The Latin Times reported that Argentina avoided potential airport disruptions for the trip after the ATE union paused a planned strike. [1][4]

The pontiff was cleared for travel following lung cancer surgery performed on 13 October, as FTMQ News reported earlier. His medical team confirmed that the cancer was contained and required no additional treatment, allowing him to undertake the trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru scheduled from 6 to 17 November. [9]

President Milei previously provoked international friction during a visit to Madrid, where he called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a dictator, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Prime Minister Sánchez subsequently posted a video response defending his left-wing policies. [8]