Pope Leo Arrives in Argentina and Tells Milei People Should Come Before the Economy

Summary

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday from Uruguay, where his three-nation South American tour began, and President Javier Milei welcomed him. It is the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades, and it comes amid tensions between Milei's libertarian government and the Catholic Church, which is deeply committed to social justice. Reporters describe three years of austerity under Milei and calls for the pontiff to help bridge divisions. The Pope told Milei that people, not the economy, should come first, and said strengthening democracy required a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words.” Argentina is the most politically delicate stop of the tour, and Leo will also confront the complicated legacy of Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate. Tensions over Iran also loom over the trip.

Timeline

1. The New York Times

   8 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports that Pope Leo’s trip to Argentina comes amid tensions between the libertarian president, Javier Milei, and the Catholic Church, which is deeply committed to social justice.

2. The Straits Times

   8 Nov 2026, 10:08 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Pope Leo is heading to Argentina as tensions loom over austerity and Iran, and that he is the first Catholic leader to visit the country since 1987.

3. The Straits Times

   8 Nov 2026, 21:28 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Pope Leo has landed in Argentina on the second leg of his South American tour and said strengthening democracy required a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words.”

4. Al Jazeera

   8 Nov 2026, 22:16 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Milei welcomed Pope Leo XIV during a historic visit, the first papal trip to Argentina in nearly four decades, amid tensions with the government.

5. France 24

   8 Nov 2026, 22:23 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday from Uruguay and faces calls to help bridge divisions after three years of austerity under President Javier Milei.

6. PBS NewsHour

   8 Nov 2026, 22:42 UTCSource ↗

   PBS NewsHour reports that Pope Leo told Milei that people, not the economy, should come first, and that Argentina is the most politically delicate stop of his three-nation South American tour.