Pope Leo XIV Visit to Argentina: Milei Hails ‘Historic’ November Trip — Media Hook
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — President Javier Milei declared Thursday it is “highly likely” Pope Leo XIV will visit Argentina in November — a diplomatic milestone that would mark the first papal visit to the South American nation in more than a decade.
Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno is in active negotiations with Vatican officials to finalize details, according to a statement from La Libertad Avanza, Milei’s ruling party. No formal dates or itinerary have been announced.
“This would be a historic moment for Argentina and for our relationship with the Holy See,” Milei said in a video posted on social media. The President, who famously kissed the crucifix upon taking office, described the potential visit as “a sign of hope for the Argentine people.”
Argentina’s relationship with the Vatican has been complex in recent years. Under Milei’s predecessor Alberto Fernández, tensions flared over the country’s conservative Catholic establishment and debates around abortion and social policy. Milei has sought to reset that dynamic — positioning Argentina as an ally of traditionalist Catholic forces globally.
The last papal visit to Argentina was in 2013, when Pope Francis — the first Latin American pontiff — toured his home country. Francis, who hailed from Argentina, never returned as pope. His 2025 death created a vacancy filled by Leo XIV, an American-born traditionalist whose election sent shockwaves through the global Catholic hierarchy.
Argentine church officials were more cautious than the President. The Archbishop of Buenos Aires, in a statement, said only that “discussions are ongoing” and declined to confirm a date. The Vatican has not issued any public statement on a potential Argentina visit.
The announcement comes as Milei’s approval rating has risen to roughly 40 percent — up four points from April — according to LatAm Pulse, with economists pointing to cooling inflation and rising central bank reserves as factors behind the recovery.
The Pope’s office has not confirmed the November date. Vatican sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Media Hook that a South American tour including Argentina, Brazil and Colombia is under consideration for the second half of the year, but no firm plans have been approved.
