Pope Leo XIV makes the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades

8 November 2026

Pope Leo XIV flew into Buenos Aires from Uruguay on Sunday, the second stop of a 12-day tour of South America. No pope had visited Argentina since 1987, so this is the first visit in almost four decades. President Javier Milei welcomed him at Jorge Newbery airport at a time when the government and the Catholic Church disagree over spending cuts. In a speech at the Palacio Libertad to officials, civil society and diplomats, the pope said the economy should serve the person, not the other way round. He asked for special care for the poor, retired people and those who are ill or disabled.