Pope Leo delivers stinging rebuke of Milei’s austerity measures during Argentina visit

Pontiff tells Argentina’s president the economy must benefit all on second stop of 12-day Latin America tour

Pope Leo XIV has delivered a stinging critique of Argentine president Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures, insisting growth must benefit all in a speech met with rapturous applause in Buenos Aires.

“The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy,” he said on Sunday, shortly after landing in Argentina on the second leg of a Latin America tour.

Leo stressed the plight of those who, “despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs”.