Pope Leo XIV’s Argentina Visit Marks First Papal Trip in 39 Years

A return 39 years in the making

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Argentina is a diplomatic and logistical undertaking with a deeper historical charge: it will be the country’s first papal visit since John Paul II came in April 1987. John Paul had already visited in 1982, during the Malvinas/Falklands War. Leo arrives this Sunday, November 8, as the first pope to visit since Francis, the Buenos Aires-born pontiff who led the Catholic Church for 12 years without returning home.

Leo will fly to Buenos Aires from Uruguay, the opening stop on his South American tour. Peru follows Argentina; Leo spent much of his missionary career there and served as Bishop of Chiclayo.

Preparations brought government and Church officials together on Monday at the Palacio San Martín. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno chaired talks with the Vatican’s advance team on security, transport, communications and the itinerary. The Church delegation included Monsignors Raúl Pizarro and Jorge García Cuerva, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as well as Fathers Matías Taricco, Facundo Fernández and Máximo Jurcinovic. Pedro Inzaurraga, Rodrigo Martínez and Federico Desteffaniz attended in their respective roles overseeing Events, Liturgy and Volunteers.

Quirno said the Vatican had asked for no changes to the programme. “Very happy, very much looking forward to this visit,” he told reporters. Addressing questions about the Pope’s health, he said, “The only thing that happened was confirmation of the agenda as originally scheduled.”

Leo underwent surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 13, when doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung after finding a cancerous tumour. The operation was successful and had no complications; follow-up examinations found no need for further treatment. The Vatican has cleared him to make the Latin American trip.

Milei’s welcome, with a political subtext

President Javier Milei is due to greet Leo at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, meet him privately at the Casa Rosada, and attend Monday’s Mass in Palermo. Sunday evening brings a reception at Palacio Libertad, formally billed as the “Meeting of the Holy Father Leo XIV with the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.”

The guest list reaches across Argentina’s political and public life. Milei invited every national deputy and senator, all 23 provincial governors, Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri, Supreme Court justices and Vice-President Victoria Villarruel. Foreign ambassadors, military and security chiefs, university rectors, business chamber leaders and trade union representatives are also expected. Former presidents are not invited.

Villarruel’s inclusion is the detail to watch. She and Milei have been estranged for some time; reports say she was initially left off the list and added only after asking for a private audience with the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature. Her invitation covers both the reception and Monday’s Mass.

Quirno dismissed the suggestion that Leo might use the visit to attack the government. “There is absolutely no worry,” he said. “What the Pope has to say, he will say, and that's perfectly fine.” That leaves the substance of any papal remarks open, even as the government signals it is comfortable with the possibility.

Protocol also sets a conservative dress code: men are asked to wear dark suits and ties; women, dark clothing that covers their backs and arms.

Broadcasts, public events and travel arrangements

Two nationwide television broadcasts are planned: Milei’s meeting with Leo at Palacio Libertad at 6.30pm on Sunday, and Monday’s 11.30am Mass on Avenida Libertador, opposite the Monumento de los Españoles in Palermo.

The Pope’s other Argentine stops include the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione home in Claypole, which serves orphans and people with disabilities; a penitentiary; and the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), where he will meet representatives of workers’ organisations. He is also scheduled to lead religious events in Córdoba and Luján before heading to Peru.

Getting people to those events will require a wide transport and security operation. Authorities plan additional bus and train services, overnight trains and longer operating hours across Buenos Aires and beyond, including during public holidays. The government has supplied the Argentine Synod with 24,000 free SUBE cards for volunteers to use on buses, trains and underground services. About 4,000 volunteers will travel by bus from Buenos Aires to Luján. Temporary restrictions are expected at railway stations and airports.

What you can bring to Monday’s public Mass

If you’re going to the Mass on Avenida Libertador, organisers say the following items are prohibited:

• Weapons, sharp objects, fireworks and alcohol
• Glass containers
• Suitcases, large bags and backpacks larger than 15 litres
• Bicycles, scooters, roller-skates and helmets
• Drones, computers, walkie-talkies, laser pointers and detachable photographic equipment longer than 20 centimetres
• Tents, parasols and stick umbrellas
• Megaphones, flagpoles and candles
• Pets

Organisers recommend comfortable clothing, a plastic bottle of water and sun protection.

The papal schedule