Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Buenos Aires on Sunday for the first papal visit to Argentina in almost four decades.
Millions of Catholic faithful are expected to attend public events during Leo’s visit, a historic occasion made all the more significant by the fact that his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, was Argentine but never returned to his homeland during his 12 years leading the Catholic Church.
The last pontiff to visit Argentina was John Paul II, who travelled to the country in April 1987, five years after his 1982 visit during the Malvinas War.
Leo's four-day stay, running November 8 to 11, will take him to Buenos Aires City, Córdoba and Luján as part of his first tour of Latin America as Pope, which also includes stops in Uruguay and Peru.
Beyond its religious and historical significance, however, the visit could also draw attention to ideological differences between the Catholic leader and President Javier Milei's government over social policy, care for the disabled, inequality and the development of artificial intelligence.
The pontiff – who was born in the United States but also holds Peruvian citizenship – said in a post on X last week that his South American journey will seek to “strengthen faith, renew hope, rekindle the fire of charity and serve as an impetus to continue proclaiming the Gospel with joy.”
Milei responded warmly to the announcement, writing on social media: “Your Holiness, Argentina awaits you with great joy. It will therefore be a great honour to welcome you to our country. May your visit strengthen faith, renew hope and bring a message of peace to all Argentinians. We look forward to welcoming you, Holy Father!”
Milei’s government says the visit is an “apostolic” undertaking, but Leo's views on the Church's social doctrine and the regulation of emerging technologies could provide potential flashpoints in Argentina, where citizens are feeling the pinch and expressing frustration with the government’s economic programme.
Government officials briefed last week that they do not expect the pontiff to intervene in domestic politics, while stressing that he remains free to express his views.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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