Montevideo: Pope Leo XIV is wrapping up the Uruguay leg of his 12-day apostolic journey to South America on Sunday, before heading to Argentina for what could be the most politically delicate stage of his three-nation tour. His visit comes amid tensions between the Catholic Church and Argentine President Javier Milei over sweeping austerity measures and cuts to social spending.
The Pope is scheduled to travel to Florida, north of Uruguay's capital Montevideo, to mark the feast of Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, a significant Catholic celebration linked to the country's independence. Thousands of pilgrims traditionally gather in the city to pray before a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.
According to tradition, 33 independence patriots acquired the Guarani statue and carried it with them when independence from the Brazilian Empire was declared in Florida on August 25, 1825.
Leo's visit marks the first time in nearly four decades that a pope has travelled to Uruguay, one of Latin America's most secular countries. Through his engagements, he has sought to highlight the Catholic Church's historical role in the nation's identity, despite Uruguay's subsequent shift towards secularism and, at times, anticlericalism.
The Pope's South American journey, which began on November 6, is his sixth international trip since the start of his papacy. After Uruguay, he is scheduled to visit Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján, before travelling to Peru for the final leg from November 11 to 17. The itinerary covers ten cities and includes nearly 40 addresses, according to Vatican News.
In Argentina, Leo is expected to meet Milei at the Buenos Aires airport before the two take part in the official welcome ceremony and exchange speeches. Their encounter comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the Argentine government and Catholic Church leaders over the president's economic policies.
Milei's sweeping spending cuts have drawn criticism from church leaders, who argue that the government is prioritising economic orthodoxy over the needs of the poor. Since taking office in December 2023, his administration has reduced public spending across several sectors, including healthcare and education.
Argentina's healthcare budget has been cut by 48 per cent in real terms, while proposed reductions in funding for public universities have triggered student protests. The government has defended its austerity programme as necessary to reform the country's troubled economy, eliminate waste and address inefficiencies in the federal bureaucracy.
Official figures put Argentina's poverty rate at 32.3 per cent during the first half of 2026, affecting approximately 15 million people.
The Pope and Milei may also have differing views on artificial intelligence. While the Argentine president has sought to attract investment in AI and data centres through promises of limited regulation, Leo has repeatedly warned about the potential risks of the technology to humanity and the environment, calling for strict international safeguards.
Leo's visit to Argentina also carries symbolic significance. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was born in Buenos Aires but never returned to his homeland during his 12-year pontificate, despite remaining closely associated with the country's political and social debates.
Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had been a prominent figure in Argentina before becoming pope. His advocacy for the poor and marginalised often placed him at odds with political leaders, and his legacy continues to divide opinion in the country.
Leo, who spent two decades as a missionary priest in Peru working with poor communities, is seen as continuing much of Francis' pastoral approach. His visit to Argentina is therefore expected to bring renewed attention to the relationship between the Church, the state and the country's economic challenges.
The Pope's final destination will be Peru, where he is expected to visit Lima, Chiclayo, Cusco and Pucallpa. The country holds particular significance for Leo, who served there as a missionary and bishop and later acquired Peruvian citizenship.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)