Pope Leo XIV urges economy must serve people in pointed remarks to Milei in Argentina

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Pope Leo XIV told an audience including President Javier Milei that “the economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy,” in his first major address after arriving in Buenos Aires.

The pontiff, on the second stop of a 12-day Latin America tour just weeks after lung cancer surgery, stressed the plight of those who work hard yet struggle to meet household needs and called for particular concern for people affected by illness, dependency and disability.

He also said strengthening democracy requires a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words,” and that those who exercise authority must act with prudence and acknowledge the limits of their power.

The BBC and Guardian reports of the speech confirm the specific wording on the economy and democracy; CNN and other outlets corroborate the arrival and the remarks directed at political leaders amid Milei’s austerity program. No primary Vatican transcript was immediately available, but the quotes appear consistently across major independent sources.

The remarks land in a country where Milei’s libertarian cuts have reduced inflation but drawn criticism for impacts on the poor and disabled. The visit continues the delicate balancing of Leo’s focus on social justice with local political realities. Next developments will include further stops on the tour and any official Argentine government response.

Analysts note the speech echoes themes from Pope Francis while remaining diplomatically framed, avoiding direct confrontation yet clearly prioritizing people over pure market outcomes.