Pope Leo XIV visits Argentina for the first time in 39 years. The possibility of canceling the trip due to lung cancer surgery was raised, but with the schedule confirmed as scheduled, approximately 7 million people across Argentina are expected to participate in the Pope's visit.
Attention is also focused on what message the Pope will deliver on issues of poverty, social inequality, and protection of the vulnerable during this visit, which runs from the 8th to the 11th.
Argentine President Javier Millais, who has been pursuing high-intensity austerity policies since taking office in December 2023, welcomes the Pope's visit, but there is a possibility that the differences in views between the government and the Catholic Church over the issue of support for pensioners and the disabled will be highlighted again.
This is the first visit by a Pope to Argentina in 39 years since John Paul II in 1987. Pope Francis, who is from Argentina, has not been able to visit his home country even though he has been in office for 12 years since his ascension in 2013.
There were concerns that this visit would be canceled due to the Pope's health issues. On the 13th of last month, Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung due to lung adenocarcinoma. However, the schedule was confirmed after the medical staff who confirmed the recovery status determined that there were no medical obstacles to the overseas tour. The Pope will visit three South American countries, including Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, from the 6th to the 17th.
The biggest event during the visit to Argentina is the Mass held at the Luján Cathedral in Buenos Aires on the 11th. It is expected that 3 to 4 million people will gather for this event alone, and if events in other regions such as the metropolitan area and Cordoba Province are included, approximately 7 million people are expected to greet the Pope during the entire visit.
On the 9th, the Pope will visit a welfare facility for the disabled located in Claypole, Buenos Aires. This facility, where about 400 disabled people live, is a place to visit that is attracting attention amid ongoing controversy over the government's reduction of the budget and welfare services for the disabled.
Leo XIV has emphasized the importance of protecting the poor and marginalized, social solidarity, and the common good. There are speculations that this visit will also deliver a message calling for harmony, social justice, and attention to the socially disadvantaged.
The relationship between President Millay and the Catholic Church is also of interest. When he was a presidential candidate, Millais strongly criticized Pope Francis, calling him the "Devil's agent on earth." However, they began to improve their relationship by meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican in February 2024, hugging and talking.
However, conflict with Catholic reformation over the Millay government's austerity policy still remains.
In Argentina, there is continued criticism that the living conditions of vulnerable groups such as pensioners and the disabled have worsened, and concerns have been raised consistently by the Catholic Church and welfare organizations over the budget and welfare services for the disabled.
Local media reported that while the Millay government welcomes the Pope's first visit to Argentina in 39 years as a diplomatic achievement of the regime, it is concerned that criticism of the government's austerity economic policy could increase if the Pope directly mentions issues related to poverty, lack of jobs, and the socially disadvantaged.
