Leo XIV did not mince his words on Sunday in Argentina during a speech delivered to the country's civil and political authorities, in the presence of ultraliberal President Javier Milei. The Pope considered it necessary to strengthen "especially education, teaching, higher education and research", sectors hard hit by budget cuts by the Argentine government.

Published on: 09/11/2026 - 00:52 Modified on: 09/11/2026 - 09:09

Pope Leo

In a speech rich in social messages before civil and political authorities and in the presence of Javier Milei, accustomed to excesses and insults aimed at adversaries or journalists, Leo XIV also launched an appeal for temperance in public life, "in the care given to speech, in the patient search for compromise".

“He who exercises authority also has a duty to act with prudence, to recognize the limits of power,” he insisted.

Shortly after his arrival, he spoke face-to-face for almost an hour with the Argentine head of state at the Casa Rosada, the seat of the presidency. Outside, frustrated at being kept at bay by security barriers, several hundred people, many draped in Vatican or Argentinian flags with the pope's effigy, chanted his name.

Brian Inacio Rodriguez, 26, had made the 3,000-kilometer journey with his father from Ushuaia, Patagonia, just to be "near the pope." A five-day car journey that was “worth it”, assures the young unemployed person, hoping that Léon “brings a lot of peace to Argentina”.

An ovation for François, “the most important Argentinian in history”

After three days in Uruguay, the most secular country in Latin America, Leo XIV is making the first visit by a pope to Argentina since John Paul II almost 40 years ago.

In his speech, he rejoiced at the "special significance" of his presence, which sees him "traveling the opposite path" to his predecessor Francis, the Argentine pope who, in twelve years of pontificate, never returned to his country until his death in 2025.

A Pope Francis with whom Javier Milei had particularly tense relations in the past, calling him "an imbecile", before a publicized reconciliation at the Vatican.

On Sunday, Milei nevertheless greeted “the most important Argentinian in history” in reference to Pope Francis. Whose mention of the name received an endless ovation.

But the leader of Catholics in the world revived the social fiber of his predecessor, calling to "favor everything which opens up perspectives (...) and allows growth to also benefit those who encounter the greatest difficulties".

The Catholic faith is losing ground in Argentina, but still largely in the majority, shared by 57.7% of 46 million Argentines according to a recent survey by the University of Buenos Aires.

According to the authorities, up to seven million people are expected over four days during the Pope's trips to Argentina.

President Milei's cuts to the welfare state

"We feel very moved. It's a historic event," Magdalena, a 40-year-old occupational therapist, told AFP, who came with her little daughter, among hundreds of people near a square in Buenos Aires where Leo XIV laid a wreath to the hero of South American independence, José de San Martin.

“I hope this will bring peace and more unity among Argentines. It is a moment of deep division in the country,” she lamented, in reference to the social tensions and political polarization of the country.

In power since the end of 2023, Javier Milei has managed to curb out-of-control inflation, but via severe "chainsaw" budget cuts in the welfare state, targeting in particular public health, universities and Argentines' pensions.

Also read: In Javier Milei's Argentina, poverty now affects nearly one in three people

Nearly 300,000 jobs have been destroyed in three years, both private and public. And the poverty rate, after various variations, rebounded in 2026 to affect nearly one in three Argentines.

In a region, Latin America, where many political leaders are or have been imprisoned for corruption, the pope finally launched an appeal for "the personal integrity of those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of governing, because corruption erodes the confidence of citizens in their institutions".

With AFP

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