Pope Leo has urged Argentine President Javier Milei to protect the country’s democracy and ensure that government policies benefit all citizens, warning that political leaders must recognise the limits of their authority.
The pope made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as he began a three-day visit to the country, the second stop of his 12-day tour of South America.
His address comes amid growing criticism of Milei’s austerity measures, which the Catholic Church says have disproportionately affected the poor.
Leo, addressing government officials, civil society members and diplomats at the Palacio Libertad cultural centre, stressed that political authority should be exercised in the interest of the people.
“Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service,” the pope said.
“Those who exercise authority have a duty to act with prudence, to acknowledge the limits of the power entrusted to them, and to direct their decisions toward the good of the entire community,” he added.
The pontiff also called on Argentina to preserve its democratic values, emphasising the need for tolerance, unity and respect for the rule of law despite political disagreements.
“Democracy… is a part of Argentina’s heritage that needs to be safeguarded,” Leo said, adding that it is strengthened by “the patient search for agreement, and through the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens with whom we share a common future.”
Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, defended his libertarian economic policies during his address, arguing that the rights to life, liberty and property form the foundation of Argentina’s constitution and Western democracies.
The pope’s visit is the first by a Catholic leader to Argentina since 1987, nearly four decades after the last papal visit to the majority-Catholic nation.
Millions of people are expected to participate in events during his stay.
Pope cautions against policies targeting poor
Although Leo did not directly criticise Milei’s austerity programme, he urged the Argentine government to ensure that economic stimulus efforts do not disadvantage the poorest members of society.
“Efforts should be made to promote whatever creates opportunities, stimulates private initiative and ensures that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged,” he said.
Milei, who came to power in 2023 after campaigning on drastic reductions in government spending, has defended his economic reforms as necessary to stabilise the country’s finances and control inflation.
Argentina’s annual inflation rate has declined from more than 200 per cent to 33 per cent under his administration.
However, the policies have also led to subsidy reductions, public-sector job losses and business closures, while surveys indicate that his popularity has weakened ahead of next year’s elections.
The austerity measures have also affected social services, including disability benefits, while poverty remains a major challenge despite a significant decline from its peak during Milei’s first year in office.
Leo, 71, is undertaking one of the most extensive foreign trips by a pope in decades, less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. His itinerary in Argentina includes visits to four cities, a care centre for people with disabilities and a prison.
The Vatican has described the South American tour as a homecoming for the US-born pontiff, who spent decades as a missionary in Peru and later acquired Peruvian citizenship.
The pope is expected to continue his visit to Peru on Wednesday after completing his engagements in Argentina.
His 50-event tour, which began in Uruguay, will end on November 17.
Milei, who previously directed harsh criticism at Pope Francis, the Argentine-born predecessor of Leo, also praised the late pontiff during Sunday’s address.
Francis, who died in April 2025 after a 12-year papacy, was described by Milei as an inspiring and generous figure and “without a doubt the most important Argentine in history.”
The president had previously called Francis “an imbecile” before making efforts to repair their relationship, including a visit to the Vatican.
Leo has increasingly adopted a more forceful tone on global affairs, advocating humane treatment of migrants, action against climate change and restraint in the exercise of political power.
His positions have placed him at odds with Trump and other right-wing leaders.
