Pope Leo got off to a great start on his arrival in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8. Tens of thousands of Argentinians turned out to welcome and cheer him, but the high point of the welcome came when he delivered a powerful speech at the Palacio di Libertad, in which he addressed head on critical socio-economic and political issues in this highly polarized majority Catholic country of 46 million people.

He spoke about the role of “those who hold public office” and the need to “safeguard” democracy and concord in society, respect the dignity of people, invest in education and avoid corruption. He was strongly applauded when he said “the economy must serve the person” and not vice versa, and when he pleaded for the management of the economy in a way that benefits all the citizens in this country that is so rich in resources but where today 32.3 percent of them are living in poverty. 

Pope Leo arrived by plane from Montevideo at 4.30 p.m. and was welcomed by Argentina’s President Javier Milei and a guard of honor. From there he was driven to the Monument to General San Martin, the liberator and father of the nation, where thousands waving Argentinian flags cheered him. Afterwards he was driven to Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, for a private visit with the president, who later accompanied him to Palacio Libertad where an audience of some 1,000 people applauded him as he entered the auditorium.

Welcoming Pope Leo, President Milei said the whole country was “profoundly honored” by his presence, and he rejoiced to see that the entire political spectrum too joined in this event, which “showed that there are reasons and occasions that go beyond our differences.”

The Argentine president drew thunderous applause when he went on to remember “our beloved Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, the most important Argentinian in history and the first Latin American pope.” He said “his passing left a huge void in our entire community.” He described Francis as “an exceptional person who, through his humanity, inspired all of us, regardless of our faith, a person of immense generosity whom I had the honor of personally knowing.” He concluded, “he is no longer physically with us, and yet we find comfort in the fact that he will remain with us for the rest of our lives…those of us who believe in eternal life have no doubt about this.” 

Pope Leo then took the podium and delivered a speech, couched in diplomatic language that avoided giving offense, to an audience comprising Argentina’s civil authorities, including senators and representatives of congress, the entire bishops conference, representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps. 

Leo began by clarifying his role, saying “I have come as the Successor of the Apostle Peter and as a Pastor,” in other words not as a politician. He told them, “I have come to meet with the pilgrim church in this land,” meaning the Catholics that count for more than half of the population and “to address the entire nation, together with those who have the task of serving it.” More significantly, he said he wished “to propose to those who hold public office a message inspired by the Gospel aimed at safeguarding the dignity of every person, civic concord, and the common good.” 

Then, in a highly calibrated speech that bore the hallmarks of Vatican diplomacy, the pope of the Americas presented a message that contained key elements of the Social Doctrine of the Church that are of particular relevance to Argentina at this moment in history. Significantly, however, he never used the term “social justice,” aware that it is anathema to President Javier Milei, who once denounced it as “a theft” in an interview with the U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson. 

Furthermore, knowing that many on different sides of Argentina’s polarized political spectrum had often reacted negatively to Pope Francis’ strong presentation of the church’s social teaching—some said he was either a Peronist or a socialist, and Milei even called him a communist— Leo in his speech today drew on statements by all of his predecessors since the Second Vatican Council to underpin his strong message. He cited John XXIII, PaulVI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and—but only on a few occasions—Francis. 

Leo Remembers Francis

As expected, Leo too remembered Francis early on in his speech. He said his visit to Argentina was “personally meaningful” because “for years, the universal church listened to the voice of an Argentinian Pope, who treasured, in his memories and in his heart, the places, the people and the faith that he received here.” 

He told those present, “I am in some sense retracing his steps in this country where the personal history of Pope Francis would later be joined to that of the entire church.” Moreover, he said, “to come to the land in which he [Francis] was raised is also to draw near to a much greater history, made up of generations of men and women who, before and after him, have inherited this homeland and left it a part of themselves.”

He recalled that “some of them were born here; others came from afar and here found a home; others [1.38 million] still belong to the indigenous peoples whose presence predates the birth of the nation.” And, he said, “from that encounter between diverse backgrounds and experiences, a people gradually took shape over time—a people who have learned to open their doors, to make room for the newly arrived and to preserve, even amid times of difficulty, a remarkable ability to rebound and move forward.”

Pope Leo then reminded those present, and the nation following on national television, that “no generation builds its homeland from scratch. It inherits it through a language and bonds that predate it, through institutions that others founded and through assets that have grown thanks to the work of many others.”

That history, he said, “combines both reasons for gratitude and painful memories,” alluding to the period of military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983 and the brutal repression of human rights.

He added, “It is up to each generation to discern what deserves to be preserved, to confront past injustices and to add to its shared material and spiritual patrimony.” He reminded those present, “the nation that is yours today will be inherited by others tomorrow.”

Argentina’s Cultural Heritage

He recalled “Argentina’s culture” and mentioned the epic poem of José Hernández on the Gaucho Martín Fierro, the writings of Jorge Luis Borges and others “who have enriched the Spanish language with Rio Plata accents.” He recalled “the tango” and “the music and traditions of the interior, in theater” and the songs of Gardel, and “everyday gestures as simple as that of sharing a drink of mate which turns a moment of relaxation into an opportunity for conversation and closeness.” He described all these as “expressions of a collective memory passed down from previous generations and entrusted to the creativity of those yet to come.”

The Augustinian pope reminded his audience that “the Christian faith is deeply rooted in this heritage” and “has left its mark on the nation’s memory and lives on in the countless Argentinians who have found in the Gospel a source of meaning, hope and fraternity.”

Then moving to the politically sensitive part of his speech, he reminded them that “sharing a common heritage entails learning to live together, even amid differences of opinion.” He added, “history teaches us how much a people can grow when their disagreements become an opportunity for dialogue and encounter.” This drew vigorous applause, as did his timely advice that “democracy is also a part of Argentina’s heritage that needs to be safeguarded.” 

He reminded the holders of public office that “democracy is also strengthened by the daily conduct of public life: through willingness to listen, through careful use of words, through 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. In this way, a spirit of trust is created, one that enables a society to deal with its differences without losing sight of the things that keep it united.”

Pope Leo reminded those in public office that “authority is most authentic when it is exercised as service, when it looks beyond the immediate, and when it uses its power to promote the welfare of all.” 

He added that “the common good that authority is called to serve must also be discerned concretely in the circumstances of everyday life.” It must ensure the well being of the family, “the basic unit of society,” and make it possible for people “to earn a living through one’s own work.” He added, “Work enables men and women to provide for their loved ones, to develop their abilities and to feel that they are participating in the building up of their homeland.” For this reason, he said, “efforts should be made to promote whatever creates opportunities, stimulates private initiative and ensures that economic growth also benefits those who are disadvantaged.”

Referring to the disadvantaged, the 32 percent of the population living in poverty, Leo said, “Here I think of families facing an uncertain future, the unemployed, the elderly who for years contributed to society, and all those who, despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs.” 

Faced with this reality, he pointed to the fact that “Argentina possesses an abundance of human resources,” alluding to its rich gas and oil reserves and flourishing agriculture, and said, “to make this wealth bear fruit for the benefit of all, particular attention should be given to the young.” 

Today, around 36 percent of the population are under the age of 25, and half under the age of 33. He urged them to create opportunities” for young people so they can “realize their hopes in life here.”Alluding to the fact that an estimated 1.1 to 1.8 million Argentinians have left the country over the past decade, Leo said “a nation must seriously ask itself where it has failed when its young people have to leave their homeland in order to make their dreams come true.”

He was vigorously applauded when he called for greater investment in “education, vocational training, universities and research” and quoting Paul VI’s said,“The nation needs to rely on their intelligence,creativity, and participation, starting now.”

Leo also touched on abortion (which Argentina legalized in Dec. 2020) and euthanasia (legislative proposals for legalization were made in 2025), but he did so in a diplomatic way. Quoting John Paul II, he said, “our responsibility toward future generations begins with welcoming life from its very first moments and safeguarding it until its natural end “(“Evangelium Vitae, No 101).”

Likewise, he said, “That same dignity requires that particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability.” He explained, “we have a duty to care for others, to alleviate suffering, to accompany them, and to ensure that every person feels that his or her life always retains a value that no circumstance can diminish.”

He appealed for the care of creation in an Argentina that “has been blessed by God with extraordinary natural wealth. Its fields, water reserves, energy sources, minerals, and the diversity of its ecosystems.” 

He next spoke about the “rapid technological advances” that are opening up possibilities that were barely imaginable a few years ago but also “raising far-reaching questions, especially with regard to artificial intelligence.” 

In the final part of his speech, Pope Leo encouraged Argentina to cooperate with other states in South America in matters that “extend beyond the boundaries of any single state,” including in matters such as energy, food, knowledge and human mobility.

He emphasized that such cooperation is also necessary “in the face of serious threats,” such as those from “organized crime, human trafficking networks, arms and drug trafficking together with corruption all undermine social cohesion, fuel violence and divert resources necessary for the common good.” His reference to corruption was particularly significant, given how it has impacted heavily on political life here in recent times. 

He highlighted the need for international cooperation “in the service of peace” and said “Argentina is called to preserve this readiness to engage in dialogue and to help ensure that it continues to bear fruit.”

Pope Leo assured those present that “the church, for her part, wishes to contribute to this shared spirit of responsibility” and it continues doing so in parishes and communities in Argentina “by proclaiming the Gospel” educating, caring for the sick, standing with the poor, supporting families, promoting peace and reconciliation” and “keeping their doors always open, so that every person may find there a warm welcome and a sense of closeness.” 

Pope Leo offered words of strong encouragement to the Argentinian authorities by telling them that “the extraordinary heritage you possess allows you to look to the future with confidence.” But he said, “it is now up to you to bring to fruition all that you have inherited and to keep alive that commitment to ‘establish national unity,’ proclaimed in the Preamble of your Constitution” so that “those who come after you may inherit a united homeland, worthy of its history and the possibilities it holds.”

He concluded by appealing to Our Lady of Luján to watch over Argentina, but he did so using the words of Pope Francis “May the Lord help you grow as a people.” And added, “May God bless Argentina and all its people.”

His speech was well received and heavily applauded, even on issues that clearly challenged some of Milei’s policies. Surprisingly too, President Milei also applauded at times, and warmly shook his hands at the end as the audience gave Leo a standing ovation. Thus ended his first day in Argentina.

Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.