Pope Leo XIV Visits Disability Center to Challenge Milei's Austerity
The pontiff met with residents at a home for people with disabilities, pressing for social spending as Argentina's Senate prepares to debate disability benefits.
By Nathaniel Hayes ·
Pope Leo XIV arrived at the Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, Argentina, on Monday to meet with residents of a facility that houses more than 400 people with disabilities. The visit served as a direct critique of President Javier Milei's austerity policies, which have reduced funding for social services and healthcare.
The 123-acre center, founded in 1935 by an Italian priest, has faced financial strain under the current administration. Milei's government has frozen payments to specialized therapy programs and dismantled parts of the safety net for the country's estimated 5 million people with disabilities. Leo embraced residents in wheelchairs and told them in the center's chapel that their lives were a blessing rather than a burden on society.
Leo argued that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities. He urged Argentines to replace the pursuit of economic success with great works of charity. He specifically cited the need to move beyond the cult of outward appearances.
Tensions remain between the Vatican's social message and the Argentine government's fiscal stance. Congress overrode a presidential veto last year to increase disability care funding, but Milei's administration has resisted implementing the law to protect fiscal balance. Care homes like the Cottolengo are still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Senate is scheduled to consider legislation later this week that would allocate money for disability benefits in the next budget. Milei opposes the measure. Leo is expected to reinforce his economic message later Monday when he meets with business leaders and union representatives at the Catholic University of Argentina.
The visit concluded with a Mass at the Monumento a los Españoles, a site that hosted the last papal Mass in Argentina nearly 40 years ago. Up to 2 million people were expected to attend. Isabel Martín, a 73-year-old attendee, said she was praying for the pope to influence Milei, whose cuts have also reduced pensions. Argentina's minimum pension is approximately $300, which is about one-quarter of the cost for medicine, housing, and food.
Leo will continue his three-nation South American tour, ending in Peru later this week. He has been greeted by large crowds in Buenos Aires, the second stop of his itinerary.
