Pope Leo XIV leaves Uruguay for Argentina, second stop of his 12-day South American tour

Summary

Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by marking a Catholic feast day tied to the country's independence, then arrived in Argentina the same day. It is the second stop of a 12-day South American tour, and a visit many Catholics hoped his predecessor, Pope Francis, would make. Reports describe Argentina under President Javier Milei as the most fraught stop of the trip. In a closely watched speech to Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, Leo urged Argentina to safeguard its democracy and told leaders that they must seek to better the lives of all their citizens and know the limits of their power. The Church has criticised Milei's austerity agenda for hitting the poorest hardest.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   8 Nov 2026, 16:03 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports from Buenos Aires that Pope Leo's arrival in Argentina on Sunday, the second stop on his South American tour, marks a papal visit many Catholics hoped his predecessor, Francis, would make.

2. South China Morning Post

   8 Nov 2026, 17:53 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Pope Leo urged Argentina on Sunday to safeguard its democracy in a speech to President Javier Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, and that the Church has criticised Milei's austerity agenda for hitting the poorest most.

3. ABC News

   9 Nov 2026, 00:42 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by marking a Catholic feast day tied to the country's independence, and describes Argentina under President Javier Milei as the most fraught stop of his tour.