Pope Leo has arrived in Argentina for the second leg of his 12-day South American tour, with a meeting and address to President Javier Milei drawing attention amid differences between the Vatican and the Argentine government. The pope’s visit comes as the Church has criticised Milei’s spending cuts over concerns about their impact on poorer citizens.
The first US-born pontiff travelled to Argentina from Uruguay, where he urged political leaders to govern for the benefit of everyone. At a Mass attended by an estimated 50,000 people near Florida, north of Montevideo, Leo also called for integrity in public leadership and cooperation among South American countries.
Milei has supported the Iran war, which Leo has publicly condemned, adding another point of tension between the two leaders. Although the pope is not expected to criticise Milei directly, observers will be watching for comments on poverty, economic policies and confrontational political rhetoric during his visit to four Argentine cities.
