Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, November 8, to begin the second phase of a 12-day South American itinerary. Africanews reported that President Javier Milei greeted the pontiff at Jorge Newbery Airport, where they participated in a formal ceremony with the national guard. This marks the first time a reigning pope has visited Argentina since 1987, a milestone celebrated by city officials who illuminated major monuments in Vatican colors that evening.
In a speech at the Palacio Libertad cultural center, Leo emphasized the importance of democratic stewardship. Al-Monitor and Khaleej Times noted that the pope advised leaders to act with prudence and direct their decisions toward the benefit of the entire community. He stated that authority is most authentic when exercised as service, a point that drew loud applause from the packed audience. The 71-year-old leader, who is the first US-born pope, spoke for 25 minutes, less than a month after recovering from lung cancer surgery.
President Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, responded by defending his libertarian approach. According to Al-Monitor, the Argentine president argued that rights to life, liberty, and property form the foundation of Western democracies. This exchange highlighted ongoing tensions, as the Church has previously criticized Milei’s austerity measures for disproportionately impacting the poorest, while the president has strongly backed the Iran war. Leo also stressed that democracy requires citizens to coexist despite differing opinions and trust in the rule of law.
Following the formal address, the pope visited the Don Orione care home in Claypole, located about 30 kilometers south of the capital. Africanews detailed that he unveiled a plaque at the 50-hectare facility, which supports over 400 residents with disabilities. He told the residents that their presence is a blessing to society, suggesting that a country’s advancement is judged by its treatment of those with disabilities. The tour will continue through four Argentine cities before the pope travels to Peru, where a large statue of him was recently unveiled in Callao to honor his past missionary work.