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Argentina

Pope Leo challenges Milei's austerity agenda during first Argentina address

The pontiff's call for the economy to serve people puts pressure on the government's spending cuts and its libertarian economic programme.

Photo: Buenos Aires Times

What happened

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday and used his first public speech in Argentina to say the economy must serve the person, not the person the economy. Largs and Millport Weekly News+2 He spoke at the Palacio Libertad in the presence of President Javier Milei, shortly after Milei had defended his government programme with references to Christian social doctrine. Buenos Aires Times The Pope said economic growth must benefit all segments of society, including the poor, and urged particular concern for those affected by illness, dependency and disability. kompas.id+2 He also called for strengthening democracy through listening, careful speech and patience in seeking consensus. kompas.id In response, Milei said his government was working to avoid punishing the Argentines of tomorrow to benefit the Argentines of today. BBC

Around it

Milei's government has sharply reduced public spending to control inflation, which has helped produce a budget surplus and lower annual inflation. NetNewsLedger The cuts have prompted protests over pensions, disability assistance and university funding, and complaints about low wages, job terminations and reduced social services. kompas.id+1 The Catholic Church has denounced the spending agenda for hitting the poorest hardest. BBC The visit is the second stop on a 12-day Latin American tour, and the Pope had undergone lung cancer surgery only three weeks earlier; an estimated 2.5 million people filled the streets for an outdoor Mass. BBC

Sources

  1. Largs and Millport Weekly NewsPope lands in Argentina and tells Milei that people, not the economy, come first
  2. Buenos Aires TimesPope Leo challenges Milei's vision for Argentina's economy
  3. kompas.idPope Leo XIV: Power Has Its Limits
  4. NetNewsLedgerNetNewsLedger, Pope Leo Challenges Milei’s Austerity Priorities in Argentina
  5. BBCWatch: Millions fill Argentina streets to welcome Pope Leo XIV
  6. BBCPope Leo gives veiled rebuke Argentine leader Milei's austerity measures

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