Pope Leo in Argentina criticises Milei's austerity, says growth must benefit all

Pope Leo XIV used a speech in Argentina on Sunday to criticise the harsh austerity policies of President Javier Milei. The pontiff had just arrived in Buenos Aires from Uruguay, the first stop of his first Latin American trip as pope, making Argentina the second leg of the tour. It is the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades, and it comes in a country deeply divided after three years of austerity under Milei.

"The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy," Leo said. He pointed to those who, despite hard work, struggle to meet their households' needs, and urged particular concern for people affected by illness, dependency and disability. This was seen as an indirect reference to the government's controversial cuts to disability assistance. Addressing Milei, known for his abusive rhetoric, the pope said that strengthening democracy requires a willingness to listen and careful use of words.

Strained history with Francis

Milei took office promising to revive the economy and curb runaway inflation by shrinking the welfare state, with public hospitals, universities and pensioners particularly affected. The poverty rate has fluctuated sharply, reaching 32.3 percent in September. During his campaign he called the late Pope Francis, an Argentine, an "imbecile" for promoting social justice, though he later softened his tone. His relationship with Leo has so far been cordial, but the local Catholic Church has criticised him for treating key social services purely as a budget issue.

Hopes and the state of faith

Hundreds of people chanting "Papa Leon" gathered outside the presidential palace. Liliana Deblauwe, a 68-year-old retired teacher, said she hoped the pope would unite Argentines just as the World Cup does. Brian Inacio Rodriguez, a 26-year-old job seeker, travelled five days overland from Ushuaia to see him.

Leo is making the 12-day trip three weeks after lung cancer surgery. The programme includes a visit to a home for disabled people, a prison and three open-air masses, for which the Church expects seven million faithful in total. A University of Buenos Aires poll found 57.7 percent of people identify as Catholic, down from around 90 percent in the 1960s.