After arrivin, His Holiness paid tribute to independence hero General Jose de San Martin; was welcomed by President Javier Milei at the Presidential Palace; was presented with the Key to the City of Buenos Aires; and delivered a speech to civil society’s entrepreneurs and prominent figures.
Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof praised the speech’s social content and its alignment with the country’s challenges, highlighting references to social justice, the role of the State, solidarity, education, and poverty, and that the economy should serve the people. Maximo Kirchner, a national lawmaker and leader of the La Campora political movement, described the Pope’s words as “apt and interesting for all Argentines to hear” as they addressed the hardships the population is currently facing.
National legislator Jorge Ferraresi questioned the reaction of ruling-party figures in the audience at the Palacio Libertad, criticizing them for applauding the remarks despite an alleged “disconnection from reality.” Meanwhile, his political ally Cecilia Moreau remarked, with a touch of irony, whether the officials would actually heed the underlying message.
Sergio Massa, former presidential candidate and head of the Frente Renovador (Renewal Front-FR), also welcomed the Pope’s arrival and shared an excerpt from his message on economic development.
Governors Raul Jalil (Catamarca), Claudio Vidal (Santa Cruz), Alberto Weretilneck (Rio Negro), and Juan Pablo Valdes (Corrientes) agreed to highlight the Pope’s call for solidarity and the need to strengthen federalism so that opportunities may reach every part of the country. They also underscored his message of unity, peace, dialogue, and solidarity.
The Union Civica Radical (Radical Civic Union-UCR) political party issued a statement welcoming the visit and described it as an opportunity to renew a commitment to peace and dialogue.
From the Government, President Javier Milei described the Pope’s address as a superlative, spiritual, and institutional discourse, though he refrained from offering a political interpretation.
jdt/iff/ft/mh
