Pope Leo XIV told Argentinian President Javier Milei to "acknowledge the limits" of power during the second stop of his 12-day tour of South America.
"Authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service," the pope said in an address opening his three-day visit to Argentina, the first papal visit to the majority-Catholic country since 1987.
The church has criticized Milei's austerity agenda for disproportionately hurting the poor. Leo told Milei, an ally of President Donald Trump, that leaders must seek to improve the lives of all their citizens.
"Those who exercise authority have a duty to act with prudence, to acknowledge the limits of the power entrusted to them, and to direct their decisions toward the good of the entire community,"
Leo said. He had to repeat the line due to loud applause from a packed audience that gathered at the Palacio Libertad cultural center.
Milei's cuts have reduced social services, such as disability benefits, while poverty remains a challenge despite falling sharply falling sharply from its 2024 peak. The president has defended his austerity push as the only way to bring inflation under control.
Under his economic regime, annual inflation has fallen from over 200% to 33%.
While Leo did not specifically refer to Milei's austerity agenda in his address, he urged that Argentina's efforts at economic stimulus not come at the expense of the poorest.
"Efforts should be made to promote whatever creates opportunities, stimulates private initiative and ensures that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged," he said.
During his 18 months as pope, Leo has urged world leaders to treat immigrants more humanely and called for action to address climate change, appeals that have put him at odds with right-wing leaders. Milei defended his libertarian policies in his address welcoming the Pope, saying the rights to life, liberty and property are the backbone of Argentina's constitution and of Western democracies.
Pope urges Argentina to protect democracy
In his speech, his Holiness also urged Argentina to protect its democracy, saying it required people to learn to live together despite differences of opinion and have confidence in the rule of law.
"Democracy... is a part of Argentina's heritage that needs to be safeguarded," said Leo, adding that it is strengthened by "the patient search for agreement, and through the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens with whom we share a common future."
Milei has been accused of undermining democracy in Argentina with divisive rhetoric and attacks on the press. Known for his bombastic statements and an unkempt haircut, he swept to power in 2023, campaigning with a chainsaw as a symbol of the deep cuts to state spending he pledged to make to shore up the country's finances.
Milei has said he will seek reelection next year but surveys show his popularity has slipped as Argentines contend with subsidy cuts, public-sector layoffs and business closures linked to squeezed household budgets.
Analysts told Reuters that Leo's remarks to Milei would be closely parsed by local politicians.
"Any interventions by Leo, particularly on poverty, the limits of markets or confrontational political rhetoric, could be read as implicit criticism of Milei and amplify existing opposition to the government's approach," said Nicolas Watson, a managing director at advisory firm Teneo, told Reuters.
The 12-day South American tour is Pope Leo's first trip since undergoing lung cancer surgery in October. It is expected to draw millions as the first U.S.-born pope returns to a Catholic stronghold where he lived for decades as a missionary.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo tells Javier Milei to acknowledge 'limits' of power in Argentina
