Pope Leo sends democracy warning to Trump-ally Milei in first Argentina visit for decades

Speaking to president Javier Milei during the second stop of a 12-day tour across South America, Pope Leo on Sunday urged Argentina to protect its democracy. The speech to Milei, a close ally of US president Donald Trump, was closely watched by political observers.Leo told Milei, who has stated he plans to seek re-election next year, that political leaders must work to improve the lives of all citizens and recognise the limits of their authority. The president's austerity program has drawn criticism from the Church for heavily impacting the poorest, while Milei has also strongly backed the war in Iran."Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service," the pope said in an address opening a three-day visit to Argentina, marking the first time a pope has visited the majority-Catholic country since 1987."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," said Leo, the first US-born pope, who sparked anger from Trump earlier this year after condemning the conflict in Iran.The pope, who took the historic step for a Catholic leader of casting a vote by mail in the US midterm elections last week, added that democracy requires citizens to live together despite differing views and to maintain faith in the rule of law.Milei is a close ally of Donald Trump (AP)"Democracy... is a part of Argentina's heritage that needs to be safeguarded," Leo said, noting that it is reinforced by "the patient search for agreement, and through the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens with whom we share a common future.”Leo, 71, is undertaking one of the most demanding foreign trips by a Catholic leader in decades, coming less than a month after undergoing lung cancer surgery. He will visit four Argentine cities through Wednesday.Following the pope's arrival at Buenos Aires' Jorge Newbery airport on Sunday, thousands of people lined his route to central Buenos Aires, waving small Vatican and Argentine flags, as Catholic nuns wearing tan habits chanted: "The pope is here, you can feel it.""It's been almost 40 years, 39 exactly, that the pope hasn't come to Argentina," said Claudia Sona, who travelled from the northern province of Salta. "For Catholics, and I think for non-Catholics, this is a rebirth."Milei, a theatrical figure known for provocative statements and untamed hair, came to power in 2023 campaigning with a chainsaw to symbolise major spending cuts intended to repair national finances.He has faced accusations of weakening Argentine democracy through divisive language and attacks on journalists.The president has defended his economic measures as essential for controlling inflation. Annual inflation has dropped from over 200 per cent to 33 per cent under his administration.However, polls indicate his public approval has declined ahead of next year's elections as Argentines face reduced subsidies, public-sector job cuts and business failures caused by squeezed household budgets.This is the first visit by a pope to Argentina for almost 40 years (AFP/Getty)Milei's cuts have reduced social support, including disability allowances, and poverty remains a key issue despite falling significantly from its peak during his first year in office.Although Leo did not directly name Milei's austerity program, he urged that economic stimulus measures in Argentina should not harm the most vulnerable."Efforts should be made to promote whatever creates opportunities, stimulates private initiative and ensures that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged," he said.The pope, who has previously warned that artificial intelligence could trigger perpetual conflict, revisited the topic in Argentina, emphasizing that technological innovation must be accompanied by "ethical consciousness" in remarks touching on another priority for Milei.Milei has advocated for AI growth and stated his ambition to transform Argentina into a major destination for data centres.Leo is conducting an intensive 50-event, three-nation trip until 17 November. He visited Uruguay before arriving in Argentina and moves on to Peru on Wednesday.The pope, who addresses host governments during foreign visits, typically relies on careful diplomatic phrasing but has recently taken a more direct stance on global affairs, criticizing the direction of international leadership.Ahead of his arrival in Argentina, commentators expected domestic politicians to scrutinise his address to Milei carefully."Any interventions by Leo, particularly on poverty, the limits of markets or confrontational political rhetoric, could be read as implicit criticism of Milei and amplify existing opposition to the government's approach," said Nicolas Watson, a managing director at advisory firm Teneo.Milei plans to run for re-election next year (Reuters)Fortunato Mallimaci, a sociologist at Argentina's Conicet research institute, said Leo's trip would offer unity and encouragement to those feeling sidelined by Milei's economic policies.During his 18-month papacy, Leo has called on global leaders to treat migrants with greater humanity and urged measures on climate change, positions that have put him at odds with Trump and other right-wing figures.The Vatican has described the trip as a "homecoming" for Leo, who worked for decades as a missionary in Peru and gained Peruvian citizenship. Officials in Argentina estimate up to 7 million people could see the pope during his visit.The pope's schedule in Argentina features visits to a detention center and a care centre for people with disabilities, highlighting his focus on marginalised communities.Milei previously launched sharp attacks against Leo's predecessor, Francis, an Argentine who did not return home during his 12-year papacy. Despite once calling Francis "an imbecile," Milei later sought to rebuild relations and visited him at the Vatican."Milei doesn't win anything by fighting with (Leo)," said Veronica Gimenez Beliveau, a sociologist at the University of Buenos Aires.