Pope Leo XIV Arrives in Argentina Amid Economic Tensions
The visit follows a stop in Uruguay where the pope attended a Mass for 50,000 people and addressed the role of women in preserving Catholic traditions.
By Aiko Nakamura ·
Pope Leo XIV has begun his final leg of a South American tour in Argentina, a visit expected to test the relationship between the Catholic Church and the libertarian government of President Javier Milei. The trip follows a successful stop in Uruguay, where the pope concluded his itinerary on Sunday with a celebration of the Virgin of the Thirty-three in the city of Florida.
The city of Florida, located north of Montevideo, hosts a population of approximately 40,000 residents. The Vatican estimated that 50,000 people gathered in the main square for the Mass on Sunday. Many attendees traveled several kilometers to reach the site under clear skies. The event marked the first papal visit to Uruguay in nearly four decades.
During the homily, Leo addressed the demographic shift in religious practice. He acknowledged the efforts of mothers and grandmothers who have maintained Catholic traditions despite declining church attendance among younger generations. He told the congregation that they should not despair if their children no longer pray or attend Mass. "Mothers and grandmothers: never tire of passing on the faith!" he said.
Leo also referenced the history of the nation, noting that 33 independence patriots carried a Guaraní statue with them when independence from the Brazilian empire was declared in Florida on August 25, 1825. He stated that the history of peoples cannot be fully understood without reference to God. The visit aimed to reaffirm the church's place in the national identity of a country that has become increasingly secular.
In Buenos Aires, the political atmosphere is more charged. Milei, who took office in December 2023, has implemented severe austerity measures to address Argentina's economic crisis. These policies have included a 48% real-term cut to the healthcare budget and planned reductions in the public university system. According to official data, poverty in Argentina reached 32.3% of the population, or about 15 million people, during the first half of 2026.
Milei's administration has characterized these cuts as necessary reforms to eliminate fraud and waste. He has described social justice as an aberration and mocked complaints about families struggling to make ends meet. The Argentine Catholic Church has been a vocal critic of these policies. Milei's sister and secretary-general, Karina Milei, told reporters that the pope belongs to all Argentines and is not aligned with any political camp.
Tensions also exist regarding technology. Milei has sought to attract artificial intelligence investment with promises of limited regulation. Leo, who has warned that the race to develop AI poses threats to humanity, has called for strict international safeguards. Posters in Buenos Aires this weekend featured the slogan "At last, a Lion who unites," a play on the pope's name in Spanish and Milei's frequent use of lion imagery in his social media presence.
Leo is also completing a task left unfinished by his predecessor, Pope Francis. Francis, an Argentine Jesuit who served as archbishop of Buenos Aires, never returned to his home country during his 12-year pontificate. David Lantigua, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, noted that there is significant disagreement over Francis' legacy in Argentina, particularly regarding his advocacy for the poor during his time in the slums of Buenos Aires.
Security measures for the visit have been tightened following intelligence reports. Argentina's state intelligence agency announced Saturday that a person was arrested in connection with death threats against Leo. A federal court in Campana, located 70 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, ordered the arrest less than 24 hours after the agency received a tip. The agency did not provide further details on the suspect.
After his time in Argentina, Leo will travel to Peru, where he served as a missionary priest for two decades. He will conclude his trip in the country where he spent much of his early career ministering to poor communities, a focus that has defined his papacy.
