Pope Leo XIV Faces Tension in Argentina After Uruguay Visit

Fifty thousand people gathered in the main square of Florida, Uruguay, for a papal Mass in a city with a population of only 40,000. The Vatican estimated the crowd size, noting that many attendees walked for several kilometers to reach the site under clear blue skies. This large turnout marked the final public event of Pope Leo XIV’s first stop in South America.

During the homily at Florida’s cathedral, Leo addressed the feast of the Virgin of the Thirty-three. He recalled that 33 independence patriots carried a Guaraní statue when Uruguay declared independence from the Brazilian Empire on August 25, 1825. Leo became the first pope in nearly four decades to visit Uruguay, aiming to reinforce the Catholic Church’s role in the nation’s identity despite the country’s move toward secularism.

The pope spoke directly to mothers and grandmothers about the challenges of passing on their faith. He acknowledged the pain of watching children abandon religious practices. "You taught your children to pray, and today they no longer do so," he said. "You used to attend Mass together, and it has been years since they entered a church." He urged them not to despair, declaring, "Mothers and grandmothers: never tire of passing on the faith!"

Leo’s next stop is Argentina, where he meets libertarian President Javier Milei. The meeting is expected to be politically delicate due to the Catholic Church’s criticism of Milei’s austerity program. Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has slashed the healthcare budget by 48% in real terms and cut social spending to achieve a budget surplus. He has described social justice as an aberration and mocked complaints about families struggling to make ends meet as huge stupidity.

Official data shows that poverty in Argentina reached 32.3% of the population during the first half of 2026, affecting approximately 15 million people. Milei’s government has framed these cuts as necessary reforms to fix the economy and eliminate waste. The administration has also embraced artificial intelligence with limited regulation, a stance that contrasts with Leo’s call for strict, internationally policed safeguards on AI development.

Karina Milei, the president’s sister and secretary-general of the presidency, told reporters that the pope belongs to all Argentines and is not aligned with any political camp. However, posters across Buenos Aires read, "At last, a Lion who unites," playing on the Spanish word for Leo, which means lion, and the animal imagery Milei uses on social media.

Argentina’s state intelligence agency said Saturday that a person was arrested over death threats against Leo. A federal court in Campana ordered the arrest less than 24 hours after the agency received a tip. The pope is completing unfinished business left by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who never returned to his home country during his 12-year pontificate. Leo, who spent 20 years as a missionary in Peru, will visit that nation on the final leg of his trip.