Pope Leo received by President Milei on landmark Argentina visit

Argentinian President Javier Milei welcomed Pope Leo XIV at Buenos Aires's Jorge Newbery airport, marking the first papal visit to the country in nearly four decades. Milei was joined by his sister, presidential secretary Karina Milei, as they greeted the pontiff on Sunday, amid reported friction between the government and Argentina's Catholic Church over the president's austerity measures.

Delivering his first public remarks in the country, the 71-year-old pope appeared to push back against Milei's free-market approach, stating that economic systems should be designed to serve people rather than the reverse. He expressed support for encouraging private enterprise, while also calling for policies that help the unemployed, retirees, and those who continue to struggle financially despite working hard.

Argentina is the second leg of Pope Leo's 12-day tour across three Latin American countries, following an initial three-day stay in Uruguay. This marks the first papal visit to Argentina since Pope John Paul II travelled there in 1987.

During his time in the country, Pope Leo took part in a welcome ceremony held at Plaza San Martin and held talks with Milei at the Casa Rosada, the seat of the Argentinian presidency.