Pope Leo XIV to Face 32.3% Poverty Rate in Argentina
The pontiff arrives in Buenos Aires amid sharp economic tensions, where President Javier Milei's austerity policies have drawn criticism from the Catholic Church.
By Amir Navarro ·
Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Uruguay on Sunday by acknowledging the role of women in sustaining the Catholic faith, setting the stage for a politically charged arrival in Argentina.
The pope traveled to Florida, a city of approximately 40,000 residents located north of Montevideo, to celebrate the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three. According to local tradition, 33 independence patriots possessed a Guaraní statue during the declaration of independence from the Brazilian empire in 1825. Leo became the first pope to visit Uruguay in nearly four decades, aiming to reinforce the church's presence in a nation that has moved toward secularism.
In his homily at Florida's cathedral, Leo addressed the mothers and grandmothers who have maintained religious traditions despite generational shifts. He acknowledged the pain of seeing children leave the faith, stating, "You taught your children to pray, and today they no longer do so." The Vatican estimated that 50,000 people attended the Mass, a number exceeding the local population, with some faithful traveling several kilometers from Montevideo to participate.
The next leg of the tour focuses on Argentina, where the church has sharply criticized the austerity program of President Javier Milei. Milei has reduced Argentina's healthcare budget by 48% in real terms since taking office in December 2023. His administration has also cut social spending to achieve a budget surplus, a strategy that has contributed to a poverty rate of 32.3% during the first half of 2026, affecting approximately 15 million people.
Tensions are compounded by Milei's embrace of artificial intelligence and his critique of social justice concepts. The president has described social justice as an aberration and mocked complaints from families struggling with the cost of living. In contrast, Leo, who took his name from a 19th-century pope known for labor encyclicals, has prioritized the poor and warned that the AI race poses threats to humanity and the environment.
The arrival in Buenos Aires will include a traditional welcome ceremony and speeches. Posters in the city have displayed the phrase "At last, a Lion who unites," playing on the Spanish translation of Leo's name and contrasting it with the lion imagery Milei frequently uses on social media. Karina Milei, the president's sister and secretary-general of the presidency, stated that the visit is purely religious and that the pope belongs to all Argentines rather than any political camp.
Leo's itinerary also serves to complete business left unfinished by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The former archbishop of Buenos Aires never returned to Argentina during his 12-year pontificate, a decision that has generated disagreement regarding his legacy. David Lantigua, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, noted that the tension between the church's advocacy for the marginalized and Milei's economic reforms will likely define the visit. Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, will conclude his South American tour by visiting that country.
Security preparations have intensified ahead of the arrival. Argentina's state intelligence agency announced on Saturday that a person was arrested over death threats against the pope. A federal court in Campana, located 70 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires, ordered the arrest within 24 hours of receiving the tip, without providing further details on the suspect.
