Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of a historic four-day apostolic visit to Argentina. The journey represents the first time a leader of the Catholic Church has traveled to the South American nation since 1987, drawing intense national attention, massive street celebrations, and high-level political engagement across the capital.
Following his arrival at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery on Sunday afternoon, the pontiff immediately embarked on a packed itinerary. He traveled first to Plaza San Martín to pay tribute to Argentina’s national hero, General José de San Martín, before proceeding to the Casa Rosada for a private meeting with President Javier Milei. The day concluded at the Palacio Libertad, where both leaders delivered official addresses before a gathering of government ministers, local authorities, and foreign diplomats.
The Arrival and Airport Welcome
The papal flight touched down at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery at 4:33 p.m., arriving from Montevideo, Uruguay, where the pontiff had landed on Friday at the start of his regional tour. As the aircraft taxied to its designated welcoming spot, onlookers and journalists noted the flags of Argentina and the Vatican fluttering proudly just above the pilot’s windows. Painted clearly on the side of the aircraft was the designation "Pontifex Maximus."
Pope Leo XIV descended the stairs wearing a traditional white cassock complemented by a vibrant red mozzetta. Waiting on the tarmac to greet him was President Javier Milei. As the two figures met, the official marching bands performed the national anthems of both Argentina and the Vatican, establishing a solemn and respectful tone for the visit.
The leaders subsequently walked a red carpet across the tarmac, where the pontiff was formally introduced to key members of the Argentine administration and ecclesiastical leadership. Among those welcoming him were Presidency Secretary Karina Milei, the Papal Nuncio in Argentina Monsignor Michael Wallace Banach, and prominent figures of the Argentine Catholic Church, including Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva.
Leaving the airport amidst tight security, the pope was met by large, enthusiastic crowds gathered outside the perimeter and along the planned motorcade route. Well-wishers lined the avenues to catch a glimpse of the papal caravan as it navigated the city streets under heavy guard.
Paying Respects to a National Hero
Leaving the airport behind, the pontiff’s first official stop brought him to the monument of General José de San Martín in Plaza San Martín, located in the historic Retiro neighborhood. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno welcomed the pope at the site, accompanying him to the base of the monument.
In a moment of solemn reflection, the national anthems played once more while the pope stood in total silence before the statue. The ceremony was supported by the traditional marching band of the Regimiento Granaderos a Caballo military unit, whose members stood at attention in historical uniforms.
Thousands of faithful and curious onlookers surrounded the square, many holding Vatican flags and homemade banners reading "Welcome Leo XIV." As the ceremony concluded, the crowds broke into chants of "Leo, Leo!"
The pontiff boarded an armored pickup truck to depart for his next engagement. Keeping with a warm and approachable tradition, he rolled down his vehicle window to wave at the cheering throngs, inspiring frantic attempts by citizens to capture photographs on their mobile phones. The motorcade advanced along Avenida Alem, flanked by the Granaderos, who accompanied the vehicles on horseback while playing ceremonial instruments.
Among the crowd, citizens expressed a deep sense of national renewal. María Florencia Espeche, holding a Vatican flag near Plaza San Martín, shared her perspective on the visit. "I think this is good for us; it’s something we needed as a country," she said. "We need to be reminded of the values of solidarity, compassion, and tending to others’ needs." Espeche noted that while she rarely attends church or participates in religious organizations, the papal presence resonated deeply with her sense of community.
Another attendee, Junior Román, a Paraguayan national living in Buenos Aires, brought his seven-year-old son, Leandro, to the square. "We came here to see a very important person. We were curious," Román explained.
Tensions and Encounters at the Casa Rosada
The papal motorcade arrived shortly thereafter at the Casa Rosada, the nation’s presidential palace, for a formal welcoming ceremony and a private bilateral meeting with President Milei. Upon entering the historic building, the pope was greeted by a broad delegation of government officials, including Lower House head Martín Menem, Interior Minister Diego Santilli, Economy Minister Luis Caputo, and Human Capital Minister Sandra Petovello, alongside senior members of the clergy.
Outside the presidential palace, however, the atmosphere was marked by logistical friction. The perimeter surrounding the Casa Rosada and the adjacent Plaza de Mayo had been heavily fenced off by security forces, preventing the general public from approaching the building. The restrictions frustrated large numbers of gathered citizens who had hoped for closer proximity to the historic event.
Crowds outside expressed their displeasure through clapping, whistling, and rhythmic chanting demanding that the security gates be opened. "This is very stupid," one woman shouted. "Let the people through!" exclaimed another bystander.
While the pope was still inside the palace engaging in discussions with the president, police briefly opened one of the security gates to relieve pressure, though full access to Plaza de Mayo remained restricted. Some citizens who had arrived early and found themselves locked inside the security perimeter were unable to leave. Notably, unlike standard protocol for major foreign dignitaries, Pope Leo XIV did not appear on the presidential balcony to greet the gathered public.
"It’s a shame that they put up these fences; we could be much closer to see him. I hope he can at least feel our presence," remarked 27-year-old Joaquín Tambornini. A member of the Focolare Movement who traveled 270 kilometers from Junín in Buenos Aires province to volunteer at the massive religious service scheduled for Monday in Palermo, Tambornini maintained a hopeful outlook despite the physical barriers.
The private meeting between the pope and President Milei concluded around 6:30 p.m., marking the end of the pontiff’s engagements at the executive mansion.
First Official Address at Palacio Libertad
The third and final commitment of the pope’s opening day took place at the Palacio Libertad, situated just blocks away from the Casa Rosada, where he addressed a distinguished audience of government authorities, institutional leaders, and international diplomats.
President Milei addressed the assembly first, opening the speeches by welcoming the pontiff and reflecting on the spiritual foundations of the Argentine nation. In his remarks, the president paid tribute to the current pope’s predecessor, remembering Jorge Bergoglio, Pope Francis, whom he described as the most important Argentine in history, before shifting his focus toward themes of spiritual freedom and Argentina’s enduring Catholic traditions.
The pontiff subsequently delivered a 20-minute address touching upon a broad spectrum of contemporary challenges. His speech ranged from economic stability, technological development, and environmental sustainability to the preservation of democratic institutions and the unique qualities of Argentine culture.
The historic visit continues on Monday, with the pontiff scheduled to visit the Pequeño Cottolengo Argentino Don Orione, a residential care facility dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Following the morning visit, Pope Leo XIV will travel to the Palermo neighborhood to preside over a major public mass at the Monumento de los Españoles, with tens of thousands of worshippers expected to attend.
