Pope Leo XIV urges Argentina to protect vulnerable during trip

Pope Leo XIV called on Argentina to protect vulnerable citizens and placed attention on individuals with disabilities during his visit to the country. Euronews reported that the pontiff visited the Cottolengo Don Orione care centre in Claypole, south of Buenos Aires, which cares for over 400 people. El Mundo America reported that the pope stated before President Javier Milei that the economy must serve the person, not the person serve the economy. [3][12]

The BBC, Deutsche Welle, and The Washington Post all reported that the pope issued a veiled rebuke of President Milei's austerity measures. Euronews added that the care centre visited by the pope had been affected by the government's budget cuts, and that the pontiff said a nation's progress should be judged by how it treats those most in need. CNN reported that the pope also urged President Milei to safeguard democracy upon his arrival. [2][3][4][8][9]

Large crowds gathered for the papal visit in the capital city. ABC News Australia reported that more than 2.5 million worshippers attended the mass in Buenos Aires, with some people camping overnight. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the tour marks the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly 40 years, following an earlier report that the pope was scheduled to visit the home for disabled people in Claypole on 9 November. [5][14][15]

Javier Milei won the 2023 presidential runoff election with 55.7 percent of the vote after founding the libertarian party La Libertad Avanza. Upon taking office, President Milei implemented fiscal austerity measures to reduce spending. Deutsche Welle noted that Pope Leo XIV's tour of South America has drawn significant crowds and political controversy following criticism of President Milei's policies. [1][13]

The South American tour includes upcoming stops in the region. Euronews reported that a giant statue of Pope Leo XIV was unveiled in Callao, Peru, ahead of his planned visit to honour his former work as a missionary and bishop in the country. [7]