Pope Leo XIV delivered a stinging critique of President Javier Milei's harsh austerity measures Sunday, insisting growth must benefit all in a speech met with rapturous applause.
"The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy," he said, shortly after landing in Argentina on the second leg of a Latin America tour.
Leo stressed the plight of those who, "despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household's needs."
He spoke out in defense of the poor and pensioners, insisting that "particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability" — a veiled reference to the government's controversial cuts to disability assistance.
And he told Milei, known for his foul-mouthed diatribes, that strengthening democracy required a "willingness to listen" and the "careful use of words."
Milei, for his part, said his government was working to avoid "punishing the Argentines of tomorrow in order to benefit the Argentines of today."
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