Pope Leo tells Argentina the economy must serve the people, first papal visit in nearly four decades draws 2.5 million to Mass and rebukes Milei's austerity

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Pope Leo shakes hands with Argentine president Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on 8 November. Photograph: Daniel Dal Zennaro/EPA theguardian.com

Pope Leo alongside Argentine foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, after laying a wreath in Plaza San Martin in Buenos Aires. Photograph: Matias Martin Campaya/EPA theguardian.com

Pope draws 2.5 million to Mass in Argentina and tells people with disabilities they are a blessing – WTOP News wtop.com

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Pope Leo XIV turned the first papal visit to Argentina in nearly four decades into a direct critique of President Javier Milei's austerity. "The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy," Leo said in Buenos Aires shortly after landing, speaking up for people who "despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household's needs." His first Mass the next day drew a crowd the Vatican put at 2.5 million — his biggest liturgical turnout to date — at the Monumento a los Españoles, site of the last papal Mass in Argentina, celebrated by John Paul II nearly 40 years ago. The day was declared a national holiday so people could attend.

The itinerary was the argument. Before the Mass, Leo travelled to Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, south of Buenos Aires, a home housing more than 400 people with disabilities that has been hit hard by Milei's cuts. The administration has cut specialised therapy programmes for Argentina's estimated 5 million disabled people, frozen payments and dismantled a safety net. Congress overrode Milei's veto last year to pass a law increasing disability funding; the government has resisted implementing it, citing its effect on fiscal balance. Days after the visit, the Senate is due to consider setting aside disability money in next year's budget. Milei opposes the measure.

Leo, 71, is three weeks out from lung cancer surgery and on a 12-day Latin American tour that began in Uruguay, where he condemned drug violence and urged an end to child poverty. He says he is retracing the steps of Francis, the Argentine pope Milei famously insulted for his pro-poor teachings and who never returned home. In Buenos Aires, Leo told his host that strengthening democracy required a "willingness to listen" and the "careful use of words," and insisted on "personal integrity" in public office: "corruption undermines the confidence of citizens in their institutions." Milei, who came to office promising to tame inflation by shrinking the welfare state and has targeted public hospitals, universities and pensioners, hosted Leo at the presidential palace and sat in the VIP seats beside his sister Karina, secretary-general of the presidency, while hundreds chanted "Papa Leon" outside.

A University of Buenos Aires poll puts Catholic identification at 57.7 percent, down from about 90 percent in the 1960s; the church expects 7 million people across the visit's events. Milei has been in office three years, during which the poverty rate has swung wildly.

The government paid Cottolengo Don Orione about 828 million pesos — roughly $535,000 — just over a week before the pope arrived, for medications, diapers and food, covering about four months at the home. Care homes like it are still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.