BUENOS AIRES, November 9, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Argentina, where he delivered a stinging critique of President Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures, emphasizing that the economy must serve the people, not the other way around. As the pope’s visit puts a spotlight on Milei’s libertarian economics, the question arises: how will Argentina’s far-right president reconcile his economic policies with the pope’s call for limits on power and protection of the poor?
Background And History
Milei, who has been in office since 2023, campaigned on a platform of deep spending cuts, deregulation, and monetary restraint, which he believes are necessary to stabilize Argentina’s economy. However, his austerity measures have been criticized for disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable populations. According to sources, Milei’s economic policies have led to welfare spending cuts, public-sector layoffs, and business closures, resulting in a significant decline in his popularity ahead of elections next year.
Milei’s Libertarian Economics
Milei’s economic approach is rooted in libertarian principles, which emphasize individual freedom and limited government intervention. He has been described as a right-wing populist and libertarian who supports laissez-faire economics and has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s fiscal and structural policies. His alignment with US President Donald Trump, with whom Pope Leo has publicly disagreed on issues such as migration and the war in Iran, has further complicated the situation.
Pope Leo’s Critique
Pope Leo XIV, in his speech in Buenos Aires, stressed the importance of protecting the poor, pensioners, and those affected by illness, dependency, and disability. He emphasized that the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than the other way around, and urged Milei to demonstrate a “careful use of words” and a willingness to listen. The pope’s critique is significant, given the large Catholic population in Argentina, with over 92% of the country’s population baptized Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.
Reconciliation And Implications
Reconciling Milei’s libertarian economics with Pope Leo’s call for limits on power and protection of the poor will be a challenging task. The pope’s visit has highlighted the need for a more nuanced approach to economic policy, one that balances the need for fiscal responsibility with the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society. As Milei’s popularity continues to decline, the question remains whether he will be able to find a balance between his economic policies and the pope’s call for a more compassionate and equitable approach. With the pope’s visit coming to an end on November 11, the world will be watching to see how Milei responds to the critique and whether he will make any changes to his economic policies.
Sources
- The Broken Promise of a Home in Spain
- Javier Milei
- Pope Leo heads to Milei’s Argentina as tensions loom over austerity, Iran
- Pope Leo urges President Milei, a Trump ally, to ‘safeguard democracy’ on arrival in Argentina | CNN
- Pope Leo delivers stinging rebuke of Milei’s austerity measures during Argentina visit
- Pope Leo XIV arrives in Argentina, meets President Milei while urging respectful dialogue – The Catholic Sun
Photo: Agustinccuyeu (CC BY-SA 4.0)
