# Pope Leo Criticizes President Milei Over Argentine Austerity Measures During his first visit to Argentina, Pope Leo urged prioritizing people over economic metrics. - **Source:** [Le Monde in English](https://www.lemonde.fr/en) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cbcc997a-0d92-4369-af8c-9889d38c590a ## Papal Visit to Argentina Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on November 8, 2026, marking the first papal visit to Argentina since 1987. The pontiff traveled from Uruguay as part of his inaugural Latin American tour. Thousands of supporters gathered outside the Palacio Libertad to welcome the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. ## Critique of Austerity Policies During his address, Pope Leo delivered a stinging rebuke of President Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures. He explicitly stated that the economy must serve the people, rather than forcing citizens to serve economic interests. This critique directly challenged the government's fiscal strategy, which has been in place for three years. ## Focus on Vulnerable Populations The Pope highlighted the struggles of workers who cannot meet basic household needs despite their labor. He specifically called for concern regarding the ill, dependent, and disabled populations. This served as a veiled reference to the Milei administration's controversial cuts to disability assistance programs, which have sparked significant public debate. ## Call for Civil Discourse Addressing President Milei’s reputation for using aggressive language, the Pope emphasized that strengthening democracy requires a willingness to listen. He urged the president to practice the careful use of words. This appeal for civility comes as Argentina remains deeply divided between supporters and opponents of the current government's economic agenda. ## Government Defense of Strategy President Milei defended his administration's actions during the meeting at the presidential palace. He argued that his government is working to avoid punishing future generations of Argentines to benefit those living today. This justification highlights the fundamental ideological clash between the administration's long-term fiscal goals and the Pope's immediate social concerns. ## Historical Context of Relations This visit is particularly significant as it follows the tenure of the late Pope Francis, a fellow Argentine. President Milei previously insulted Francis for his pro-poor teachings, creating historical tension between the Vatican and the current administration. Pope Leo noted that he is retracing the steps of his predecessor during this tour. ## Regional Secularization Trends Latin America remains the world's most Catholic continent, yet it is experiencing a trend toward increasing secularization. Pope Leo’s presence is seen as an attempt to engage with these shifting demographics. By visiting Argentina and Uruguay, he aims to address the spiritual and social needs of a region facing economic instability. ## Hopes for National Unity Many Argentines hope the Pope’s presence will help bridge the deep divisions currently fracturing the nation. As the country grapples with the consequences of three years of austerity, the pontiff’s call for social equity resonates with many citizens. The outcome of this diplomatic engagement remains a focal point for the country's future. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/11/09/in-argentina-pope-leo-delivers-stinging-rebuke-to-milei-over-austerity-measures_6775541_4.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._