Pope delivers veiled rebuke of Milei's austerity measures

Pope Leo XIV has said Argentina's economy must benefit everyone including the poor, in a diplomatic but pointed critique of President Javier Milei's austerity measures.

The Pope was speaking as he arrived in Buenos Aires, the second stop on a 12-day tour of Latin America, only three weeks after having had surgery for lung cancer.

In response, right-wing leader Milei said his government was working to avoid "punishing the Argentines of tomorrow in order to benefit the Argentines of today".

This leg of the Pope's journey was expected be the most politically sensitive, with the president's agenda of slashing public spending having been denounced by the Catholic Church for hitting the poorest hardest.

"The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy," Pope Leo said.

He stressed the plight of those who, "despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household's needs", and urged 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.

In what appeared to be a rebuke of Milei's combative style and language, the Pope said strengthening democracy required a "willingness to listen" and the "careful use of words".

Milei had been particularly outspoken about Leo's predecessor Pope Francis, whom he called "evil on earth" and a "communist" for promoting a doctrine of social justice to help the poor.

On Sunday, however, Milei struck a conciliatory tone, calling Francis an "exceptional figure" and "undoubtedly the most important Argentine in history".

He was also keen to welcome the current Pope earlier, writing in a post on X that Argentina awaits "with immense joy".

Pope Leo urged Argentina to safeguard its democracy. "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 said.

In his own address welcoming Leo to Argentina, Milei defended his libertarian policies, saying the rights to life, liberty and property are the backbone of Argentina's constitution and of Western democracies.

The Argentine leader, who has said he will seek re-election next year, is a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump, who has criticised Pope Leo for his opposition to the Iran war.

Pope Leo's trip to Argentina has been described as a homage to Francis, who did not return to his homeland during his own papacy.

The Vatican says no extraordinary measures are being taken in relation to the Pope's health, describing him as a "71-year-old who has undergone an operation" not someone with a "permanent medical condition".

Last month's operation to remove a tumour was successful and his doctors say the cancer has not spread.

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