{
  "id": 17623594,
  "title": "Pope Leo’s Argentina trip. What’s changed (and what’s not) since John Paul II",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/pope-leos-argentina-trip-whats-changed-and-whats-not-since-john-paul",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T15:19:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Buenos Aires Herald",
    "slug": "buenos-aires-herald",
    "url": "https://buenosairesherald.com/society/pope-leos-argentina-trip-whats-changed-and-whats-not-since-john-paul-ii"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pope Leo XIV is set to become the second pontiff to visit Argentina on November 8, following in the footsteps of John Paul II. John Paul II’s visits to Argentina in the 1980s were marked by a starkly different political backdrop compared to Leo’s anticipated trip. While Leo’s visit will occur in a country firmly under democratic rule, John Paul II’s visits came during periods of significant political tension and uncertainty.\n\nPope John Paul II’s first visit in 1982 was a hurried \"peace pilgrimage\" during the Malvinas War, while his second visit in 1987 took place after Argentina had transitioned into a democracy. During his 1987 trip, John Paul II received an overwhelming response from the Argentine people, attracting huge crowds across various cities in the country. However, even then, concerns about economic difficulties and political instability lingered.\n\nIn contrast, Argentina today has not faced armed conflicts since, and has celebrated 40 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. However, the Catholic Church's influence has waned as Catholicism, once a central feature of Argentine identity, now accounts for a smaller portion of the population. According to recent surveys, the percentage of Catholics in Argentina has declined from 90% in 1960 to 62.9% in 2019, while the number of those with no religious affiliation has doubled.\n\nDespite these changes, Pope Leo XIV's visit is expected to be a significant event. The Church remains committed to fostering a constructive relationship with the government while addressing the economic challenges faced by the population. Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva of Buenos Aires has highlighted the Church's ongoing mission to shed light on reality, regardless of political shifts. As Leo prepares for his trip, the Argentine people will likely reflect on how the nation has evolved since John Paul II's visits, bearing in mind both the progress made and the persistent economic issues that continue to weigh on the nation.",
  "summary": "Democracy is firmly instilled and Catholic influence has waned, but economic woes still define the country as it awaits its second papal visit La entrada Pope Leo’s Argentina trip. What’s changed (and what’s not) since John Paul II se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}