Pope Leo delivers stinging rebuke of Milei’s austerity measures during Argentina visit

Live updates

1. 52m ago

   Pope Leo Rebukes Milei Austerity in Argentina

   Pope Leo arrived in Argentina on Sunday from Uruguay for the second leg of his 12-day Latin America tour, immediately delivering a rebuke of the austerity measures implemented by President Javier Milei. During their meeting, the pontiff told the Argentine leader that the economy should serve all people and that human needs must come before economic goals. Pope Leo also urged Milei to safeguard democracy and asked the country's leaders to put the common good before political interests.

   Why it matters

   The papal visit takes place against the backdrop of three years of austerity under President Javier Milei, a populist leader who has faced intense domestic friction. The trip follows a successful stop in Uruguay and represents a fraught encounter between the pontiff and a leader often aligned with Donald Trump. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions regarding how economic reform affects vulnerable populations.

   What is confirmed

   • Pope Leo arrived in Argentina on Sunday from Uruguay on the second leg of a 12-day Latin America tour.
   • The pope urged President Javier Milei to safeguard democracy and told him that people, not the economy, should come first.
   • Pope Leo urged Argentina's leaders to put the common good before political interests.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Pope Leo delivered a stinging and awkward rebuke of President Javier Milei's austerity measures during their meeting.

   What to watch next

   • Further statements or addresses by Pope Leo during the remainder of his Argentina tour.
   • Reactions from the Argentine government and President Javier Milei's administration to the papal criticisms.
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. www.theguardian.com — AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton: ‘We’re creating alien beings. I’m willing to be selfish and choose humans’ | Donald Trump
   2. www.lemonde.fr — Brussels' riot police clash with protestors against backdrop of student protests
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   4. www.democraticunderground.com — In U.S. Gas Talks With Kremlin, Hidden Financing for Alaska Project Emerges
   5. AP News — Pope wraps up Uruguay visit and heads to most fraught stop of his tour in Milei’s Argentina
   6. NPR — After a successful trip to Uruguay, Pope Leo heads to Argentina
   7. WSJ — A Missionary Pope Faces a Chain Saw-Wielding Populist in Argentina
   8. OSV News — Pope Leo shares advice for Catholic parents whose children left the faith at Uruguay’s national shrine
   9. CNN — Pope Leo urges President Milei, a Trump ally, to ‘safeguard democracy’ on arrival in Argentina
   10. The Guardian — Pope Leo delivers stinging rebuke of Milei’s austerity measures during Argentina visit
   11. Vatican News — Pope Leo urges Argentina’s leaders to put common good before political interests
   12. Los Angeles Times — Pope arrives in Argentina and tells Milei that people, not the economy, should come first
   confidence 95%