Pope Leo Urges Milei to Put People First

The article reports that Pope Leo XIV urged Argentina to protect democracy during an address alongside President Javier Milei. The Pope emphasized that political leaders should recognize the limits of their power and exercise authority in service of the common good. The report presents this as a message about democratic responsibility and the proper use of political power, delivered in the presence of Argentina’s president. It does not provide further details about the setting, the circumstances of the address, Milei’s response, or any specific policies or events prompting the remarks. The brief item is published by Al Jazeera and dated 9 November 2026. Its central point is the Pope’s appeal for leaders to respect limits on their authority and prioritize the public interest while safeguarding democracy.

Pope Leo XIV used his visit to Argentina to emphasize that economic policy should serve people and that democracy must be protected. Speaking to President Javier Milei and other officials in Buenos Aires, he said “the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy,” and drew attention to people who work hard but still struggle to cover household needs. The remarks were closely watched because Milei’s austerity program has included cuts to social services, pensions, disability assistance and public universities. Leo did not directly criticize the government’s policies. Milei argues that deep spending cuts are needed to stabilize Argentina’s struggling economy and curb inflation. Annual inflation has fallen from above 200% to about 33% during his administration, but many households remain under financial pressure. Public-sector layoffs and business closures have also prompted anger. Milei’s relationship with the Catholic Church has been strained: he previously insulted Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, though he later met him in Rome and softened his language. During Leo’s visit, Milei praised Francis as an “exceptional figure” and the “most important Argentine in history.” Leo also said authorities must recognize the limits of their power and make decisions for the good of the whole community. He called for listening and careful language to strengthen democracy. His comments carry added importance before Argentina’s 2027 presidential election, in which Milei intends to run again, amid concerns about political polarization and his attacks on journalists and opponents. The visit is the first papal trip to Argentina since John Paul II visited in 1987, and the first in nearly 40 years. It is part of Leo’s South America tour, following a visit to Uruguay and ahead of a planned trip to Peru. The 71-year-old pope arrived less than a month after surgery for lung cancer. The visit also renewed attention to Francis, Argentina’s first pope, who died in April 2025 without returning to his homeland during his 12-year papacy.

Pope Leo XIV used his first visit to Argentina as pontiff to criticize President Javier Milei’s austerity policies, saying the economy should serve people and that growth must benefit everyone. In a speech in Buenos Aires, Leo highlighted the hardship faced by people who struggle to meet household needs despite working, and called for particular care for people affected by illness, dependency and disability—a pointed reference to cuts to disability assistance. He also urged Milei to listen and use measured language, and emphasized that corruption erodes public trust in institutions. The visit is the second leg of Leo’s 12-day Latin America tour and the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades. It comes after three years of austerity under Milei and amid sharp divisions between his supporters and opponents. Some Argentines hope the pope can help unite the country. The article notes that Argentina is the birthplace of the late Pope Francis, whose pro-poor teachings Milei once attacked, and that Leo described himself as retracing Francis’s steps. Milei’s economic program aims to reduce inflation and revive the economy by shrinking the welfare state, with public hospitals, universities and pensioners among those affected. Poverty has fluctuated since he took office, reaching 32.3% in September. Although Milei maintains a loyal base of support for reducing inflation, critics—including the local Catholic church—object to his treatment of social services as budgetary costs and point to restrictions on democratic freedoms, including protest rights. Leo’s itinerary includes visits to a home for disabled people and a prison, as well as open-air masses. The trip also tests the church’s standing in a country where the share of people identifying as Catholic has declined substantially, from about 90% in the 1960s to 57.7% in a recent University of Buenos Aires poll.