Pope Leo arrives in Argentina amid divisions over Milei’s austerity

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday afternoon via a flight from Montevideo, Uruguay. This marks the first visit to Argentina by a Catholic Church leader in nearly four decades. Upon landing at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport, the pontiff was welcomed on the runway by President Javier Milei, where the two leaders listened to the national anthem. The arrival was met by several officials, including Presidency Secretary Karina Milei and Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva.

The visit to Argentina is considered a politically delicate stop following the Catholic Church's criticisms of President Milei's austerity program. The Pope's trip follows a visit to Uruguay, where he celebrated the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three in the city of Florida. During his time in Uruguay, the South China Morning Post reports that the Pope praised women for passing on the Catholic faith and noted the church's historical role in the country.

Euronews reports that approximately 50,000 people attended a Mass in Florida, though the city's population is about 40,000.

In Buenos Aires, the Pope's schedule includes a visit to the monument of José de San Martín and a trip to the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada. France 24 notes that the visit comes amid calls for the Pope to help bridge divisions caused by three years of austerity under the Milei administration.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Japan Today, Euronews, Buenos Aires Herald, South China Morning Post — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.