Pope Leo XIV Urges Argentina to Place People Above Economy in Sharp Critique of Milei
Pope Leo XIV criticizes Javier Milei's austerity in Argentina, stating the economy must serve the people. See the full papal address details.
POLICY WIRE — Buenos Aires, Argentina — Pope Leo XIV issued a sharp rebuke of Argentine President Javier Milei’s strict austerity policies upon arriving in Buenos Aires on Sunday. The pontiff emphasized that economic growth must serve the populace, a stance that drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Holding a press conference shortly after landing on the second leg of his broader Latin American tour, Leo declared that the economy must exist for the benefit of the people, rather than the reverse. The comments represent a direct challenge to the current administration’s fiscal approach.
The visit occurs three years after Milei assumed office, a period marked by significant economic tightening. Many Argentines had previously hoped for such a papal visit to occur during the tenure of Pope Francis, the first Argentine to hold the office.
Leo’s arrival in Argentina follows his earlier stops in Uruguay, where his multinational tour commenced. The visit is seen as a critical moment for addressing social divisions and urging leaders to prioritize the common good over political interests.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)