Argentina: Pope Leo XIV welcomed by Javier Milei for historic visit

President has opposing views on many issues, and once called Leo’s predecessor the ‘representative of the Evil One’Trees are being planted in the garden. The brightly coloured buildings are getting another coat of paint. The choir rehearses. Hundreds of other…

The pontiff’s trip comes amid tensions between the country’s libertarian leader and its Catholic Church, which is deeply committed to social justice.

Tens of thousands of people packed Florida’s main square for the Mass under brilliant blue skies, some walking for several kilometers to reach the site. The city has a population of about 40,000 but the Vatican estimated 50,000 were attending.

Leo's visit to Argentina is by far the most politically delicate of his three-nation South American tour, and a place where Leo will also confront the complicated legacy of Argentine Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate.

Pope Leo spoke out in defence of the poor and pensioners, insisting that “particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability” — a veiled reference to the government’s controversial cuts to disability assistance

Pontiff’s speech included what many interpreted as veiled criticism of the president’s austerity measures