Pope Leo challenges Milei’s austerity priorities during Argentina visit

Pope Leo XIV criticised the social impact of President Javier Milei’s austerity programme during a Buenos Aires speech, the Guardian reported on 9 November 2026. Addressing Argentina’s leadership, he argued that economic growth should serve everyone and called for greater attention to working households struggling with basic needs, pensioners and people affected by illness or disability.

Argentina was the second stop on his 12-day Latin American tour, following Uruguay. Leo also urged respectful political language, listening and integrity in public office. The report described hopes among some Argentines that the visit could ease divisions between Milei’s supporters and opponents after three years of austerity.

The dispute touches services central to Milei’s economic programme: the report says his cuts targeted public hospitals, universities and pensioners, while the local Catholic church criticised treating essential services chiefly as budget costs. It also notes that Milei retained loyal supporters who credited him with sharply reducing inflation.