Pope Leo XIV visits Casa Rosada to kickstart historic trip to Argentina

Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Buenos Aires City for a historic four-day visit to Argentina the first from a leader of the Catholic Church to the country since 1987.

The pope landed at the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport at 4.33 p.m. on a flight inbound from Montevideo, Uruguay, where the pontiff had arrived on Friday. As the plane made its way to the welcoming spot, the flags of Argentina and the Vatican could be seen fluttering just above the pilot’s windows, as well as a sign reading Pontifex Maximus on the side.  

Pope Leo stepped off the plane wearing a red mozzetta over his traditional white cassock. He was welcomed on the runway by President Javier Milei, where the two listened to the national anthems of Argentina and the Vatican. 

The two later walked a red carpet, where they were greeted by Presidency Secretary Karina Milei, the Papal Nuncio in Argentina, Monsignor Michael Wallace Banach, and authorities from the Argentine Catholic Church, including Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge Garca Cuerva. 

Leo left the airport shortly to fulfill his three commitments of the day. There were large crowds waiting for him outside Aeroparque, as well as on the streets where the caravan taking him would ride through.

A visit to a national hero The pontiff’s first stop was a short visit to national hero Jos de San Martns monument in Plaza San Martn, in Retiro. He was welcomed there by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who accompanied him to the steps of the monument. The two national anthems were played again before the pope stood alone in front of the monument in a moment of silence.

Thousands of people had gathered around the square to catch a glimpse of the pope and pay their respects. Leo got into his car and left amid cheers, as people waved flags and tried to capture images of him on their cell phones. 

The caravan took off through Avenida Alem, escorted by the Regimiento Granaderos a Caballo military unit, accompanied the cars while playing instruments on horseback. 

Pope Leo with Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno. Leo at Casa Rosada The pontiff arrived shortly after at the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, for a welcoming ceremony and a private meeting with Milei. 

Upon entering, he was greeted by a slew of government officials, including Lower House head Marn Menem, Interior Minister Diego Santilli, Economy Minister Luis Caputo, and Human Capital Minister Sandra Petovello, among others. Church autorities were also present.

Leo left Casa Rosada at 6.30 pm, following the end of his private meeting with the president. 

The pope’s third and final commitment for the day will be a meeting with government authorities and diplomats at Palacio Libertad, a few blocks away from Casa Rosada. 

No public events are scheduled for Sunday. 

On Monday, the pontiff will first visit the Pequeo Cottolengo Argentino Don Orione, a residential home for people with disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities. After that, he will head over to Palermo to preside over mass at the Monumento de los Espaoles (Spaniards Monument), scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Thousands are expected to attend.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Cover image: Pope Leo XIV and President Milei at Aeroparque. Credit: Argentina government