Pope Leo criticizes Milei's austerity in Argentina
The gist
Pope Leo XIV told President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires that the economy must serve people.
The visit pits papal calls for the vulnerable against Milei's spending cuts.
How it unfolded
- May 25, 2025The archbishop of Buenos Aires sharply criticised Milei's austerity policies during a religious ceremony the president attended.
- Sep 21, 2026Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said there were "no fundamental differences" between the government and the Catholic Church, citing Milei's opposition to abortion and saying he had cut poverty in half.
- Nov 8, 2026Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires from Uruguay on the second leg of his tour and said in his first public speech that "the economy must serve the person, not the person the economy."
Key terms
- anarcho-capitalist
- A supporter of a political ideology that replaces coercive government with private enterprise and free markets.
- austerity
- Policies that reduce government budget deficits through spending cuts, tax increases, or both.
- budget surplus
- A situation where government spending exceeds its revenues in a fiscal year, producing a negative budget balance.
Source: Wikipedia