Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for the defence of democracy, limits on the exercise of power and a willingness to “live together despite our differences” in his first address in Argentina.
The pontiff – speaking at the Palacio Libertad cultural centre in Buenos Aires – also urged the country to strengthen education and protect the elderly and people with disabilities, while stressing that “the economy must be at the service of people, not people at the service of the economy."
“We must learn to live together, beyond our differences,” the Pope said.
The Catholic leader highlighted “how much a people can grow when differences become an opportunity for dialogue and encounter."
“Those who exercise authority have a duty to act prudently, recognise the limits of the power entrusted to them and direct their decisions towards the common good of the entire community,” Leo XIV said.
“Argentina possesses abundant human resources. Making that wealth bear fruit requires paying attention to young people. A nation must seriously ask itself where it has gone wrong when its young people have to leave their homeland to fulfil their dreams,” he added.
The Pope also called for the protection of unborn life, saying that future generations must be welcomed from the very beginning.
“Before asking ourselves what kind of world we will leave to those who come after us, we must recognise their dignity. A commitment to future generations begins with welcoming life from its earliest moments,” he said.
At the start of his address, Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires and led the Catholic Church for 12 years before his death in April.
“My arrival in this land has a particular significance. For 12 years, the universal Church listened to the voice of an Argentine pontiff who carried with him, in his memory and heart, the places, people and faith he encountered here,” he said.
“Today I am travelling in the opposite direction, coming to the homeland where Pope Francis began a story that would later become intertwined with that of the entire Church,” he added.
'Profound honour'
President Javier Milei welcomed the Pope's visit, saying his presence had brought together representatives from across Argentina's political spectrum at the Palacio Libertad.
“It is a profound honour for me to welcome Pope Leo XIV,” the President said, extending a “warm welcome on behalf of everyone."
“Today marks the beginning of days of reflection. I am pleased to see the entire political spectrum here, demonstrating that there are moments that transcend our differences,” Milei said.
He also spoke of the importance of faith and called on those present to “rise above temporary differences."
“There is much more that unites us than divides us,” the President said, paying tribute to Francis, whom he described as “an exceptional figure, a person of immense generosity who will remain present for the rest of our lives."
“Francis is immortal not only in heaven, but also on earth,” Milei added.
“Your Holiness, thank you for coming. I would ask you only to pray for Argentina, as we do,” he said.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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