Pope’s Argentina mass draws record 2.5 mn

Pope Leo XIV delivered a mass attended by an estimated 2.5 million people in Argentina on Monday, marking his largest mass since becoming head of the Catholic Church in 2025. The pontiff's visit followed a speech in which he criticized Argentina's right-wing leader, Javier Milei, whose policies have exacerbated wealth inequality in the country.

During his visit to a Catholic social center for people with disabilities, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of welcoming those with disabilities and special needs for a nation's progress. Despite Milei's veto, Congress overrode it, leading to an emergency law aimed at improving the situation of people with disabilities, a move not seen in over 20 years.

The Pope's call for care for the weak came after Milei's criticism of the law. Milei, in office since 2023, has sought to drastically reduce government involvement, sparking controversy due to the social hardships that have ensued. Argentina's poverty rate stands at 15 million people out of 46 million, and the country is experiencing emigration.

Milei, a proponent of "chainsaw politics," is seen as an ally of US President Donald Trump. This marks the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades.