President Javier Milei received Pope Leo XIV this Sunday at the Casa Rosada, where both led an official welcome ceremony and held a private meeting in the presidential office, after the Supreme Pontiff greeted the main members of the national Cabinet during the first day of his historic visit to Argentina, the first of a Pope to the country in 39 years.
The meeting came after Leo XIV arrived atJorge NewberyAirport, where he was personally greeted by Milei. Later, the Pontiff moved to Plaza San Martín, in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Retiro, where he paid homage to the Liberator and was received by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, before going to the
Once at the Casa Rosada, the President once again received the head of the Catholic Church and accompanied him to the White Room, where the protocol greeting was held and the official photograph was taken. Later, both moved to one of the adjoining rooms, where Milei introduced the Pope to the main officials of his administration, who were waiting to
personally greet the religious leader.
Among those present were Karina Mile i, Chief of Staff Diego Santilli, Minister of Economy Luis “Toto” Caputo, Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, Minister of Human Capital Sandra Pettovello and Minister of Deregulation Federico Sturzenegger.Also participating were the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem; the Minister of Defense, Carlos Presti; the Minister of Justice, Juan Bautista Mahiques; the Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva; and the Minister of Health, Mario Lugones. The Pontiff also greeted presidential advisor Santiago Caputo, Senator Patricia Bullrich, the president of the Central Bank, Santiago Bausili, and other members of
the government team. Diego Santilli, Santiago Caputo, Carlos Presti and Sandra Petovello.
After the round of greetings, Milei and Leo XIV withdrew to hold a private audience, one of the central moments of the Pontiff's official agenda in Argentine territory. The meeting was organized so that both could talk directly, without the presence of entourages or journalists. This was a new meeting between the president and the leader of the Catholic Church, who had already held an audience at the Vatican in June 2025
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The day will continue with a meeting at the Libertad Palace, where the President and the Pope plan to deliver speeches to national authorities, legislators, representatives of the judiciary, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of civil society. The apostolic visit of Leo XIV will last until Wednesday, November 11 and will include religious and social activities in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Luján, before the Supreme Pontiff continues his South American tour
