Pope Leo XIV is beginning his first full day of a three-country South American tour with a visit to Cottolengo Don Orione, a Catholic-run facility for people with disabilities near Buenos Aires. The timing of the papal visit coincides with significant government reductions in disability funding and social spending under President Javier Milei’s administration. The facility’s coordinator noted that medication, specialized food, and supplies have not been delivered since the previous November, with the matter currently in litigation.
The pope’s three-day visit to Argentina represents the first papal visit to the country since 1987, and comes amid ideological tensions with Milei. The president, a libertarian economist who campaigned on spending cuts, has previously criticized Pope Francis with inflammatory language. Though Milei claims to have apologized when meeting Francis in February 2024, his government’s policies reflect fundamentally different priorities. Public spending cuts implemented since taking office have reportedly reduced purchasing power for retirees on minimum pensions by approximately 30 percent, according to research organization Mate.
Beyond traditional social welfare issues, disagreements extend to technology policy. Earlier this year, Leo XIV called for regulating artificial intelligence, while Milei has opposed AI regulation and instead promoted legislation for datacentres and legal status for algorithmic entities. Observers note these positions reflect deeper philosophical differences about human dignity and the role of technology in society.
The papal itinerary suggests an intentional engagement with labor and social concerns. After visiting the disability home, the pope is scheduled to meet business and union leaders in Buenos Aires, then celebrate Mass at a military aircraft factory in Córdoba, where workers have protested government cuts. Church leaders have formally communicated concerns to government officials about disability care institutions, and advocacy groups have written to the pope documenting impacts on fundamental rights. Government officials have sought to minimize potential conflict, though analysts suggest the pope’s rhetoric will naturally emphasize social justice themes at odds with the administration’s approach.
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