Pope Leo XIV has delivered a stinging critique of Argentine president Javier Milei’s harsh austerity measures, insisting growth must benefit all in a speech met with rapturous applause in Buenos Aires.

“The economy must be at the service of the people, rather than people being at the service of the economy,” he said on Sunday, shortly after landing in Argentina on the second leg of a Latin America tour.

Leo stressed the plight of those who, “despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs”.

He spoke out in defence of the poor and pensioners, insisting that “particular concern be shown for those affected by illness, dependency and disability” – a veiled reference to the government’s controversial cuts to disability assistance.

He also told Milei, known for his foul-mouthed diatribes, that strengthening democracy required a “willingness to listen” and the “careful use of words”.

Leo, 71, is on an ambitious 12-day tour of the continent, just three weeks after undergoing surgery for…