Pope Leo urges Milei to put Argentinians’ lives before the economy

Pope Leo XIV has urged Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, to improve life for all citizens and recognise the limits of political power during the Pope’s first visit to the country in nearly four decades.

Leo said the economy should serve people, rather than the other way round, as the Catholic Church criticises Milei’s strict spending cuts. The church has said the measures have hit the country’s poorest people particularly hard.

The Pope also called on people to learn to live alongside those who think differently from them. He began his South American visit in neighbouring Uruguay and is due to spend until Wednesday in Argentina, visiting four cities, before travelling to Peru.

Argentine Catholics have welcomed his visit. Leo’s predecessor, Francis, was born in Argentina but did not visit the country during his pontificate.