President Milei welcomes Pope Leo during historic visit to Argentina

Pope Leo XIV was welcomed at Jorge Newbery airport by Milei and his sister, presidential secretary Karina Milei, before heading to the Casa Rosada for a meeting.

The pontiff’s visit follows a three-day stop in Uruguay and will include a welcome ceremony at Plaza San Martin, a prison visit, and masses in Buenos Aires, Lujan, and Cordoba.

Leo, 71, is the first US-born pope and will remain in Argentina until Wednesday before traveling to Peru, where he served as a bishop.

Tensions with Milei’s government

The visit unfolds amid a fractious relationship between the Vatican and Milei’s administration, which has implemented austerity measures criticized by the Church.

Milei has defended budget cuts as essential to curb inflation, while some clergy have joined protests against the policies.

"Without a doubt, it gives us great joy that this pope is visiting us," said Jorge Silanes, religious director at the Pequeno Cottolengo Don Orione.

Declining Catholic influence

The visit coincides with a long-term decline in Catholic membership across Latin America, where Catholics comprise the largest religious group with up to 425 million adherents.

In Argentina, the percentage of self-identifying Catholics fell from 71% in 2013-2014 to 58% a decade later, according to Pew Research Center data.

Milei, raised Catholic, has suggested he considered converting to Judaism, while his predecessor, Pope Francis, never visited Argentina as pope despite being born there.

Legacy of Francis

Francis, who died in 2025, had a contentious relationship with Milei, whom he called a "communist" and an "imbecile who defends social justice".

Reverend Lorenzo 'Toto' de Vedia noted that Leo’s visit fills a gap left by Francis, who never visited his home country as pope.

"Leo is going to make the visit that Francis never did," de Vedia said.