# Pope Leo’s Argentina Visit: Changes Since John Paul II

> Pope Leo XIV’s Argentina trip highlights democratic progress but economic struggles since John Paul II’s visits.
- Title: Pope Leo’s Argentina Visit: Changes Since John Paul II
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV’s Argentina trip highlights democratic progress but economic struggles since John Paul II’s visits. Pope Leo XIV’s November 2024 visit to…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, argentina, democracy, economic struggles, john paul ii, papal visit, uninterrupted democratic rule, inflation, catholic church, argentine episcopal conference, military uprising, carapintadas
- Source: Buenos Aires Herald — https://buenosairesherald.com/society/pope-leos-argentina-trip-whats-changed-and-whats-not-since-john-paul-ii
- Author: Veronica Smink
- Published: 2026-11-01T15:19:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, argentina, democracy, economic struggles, john paul ii, papal visit, uninterrupted democratic rule, inflation, catholic church, argentine episcopal conference, military uprising, carapintadas
## Pope Leo XIV’s Argentina Visit
Pope Leo XIV arrives in Argentina on November 8, 2024, becoming the second pontiff to visit the country after John Paul II.
## John Paul II’s 1980s Visits
John Paul II visited Argentina twice in the 1980s: a 30-hour peace pilgrimage during the 1982 Malvinas War and a seven-day 1987 tour.
## Democratic Context Today
Argentina has 40 years of uninterrupted democratic rule since the 2023 election and no armed conflicts since the 1982 Malvinas War.
## Catholicism’s Changing Role
Catholicism remains central to Argentine identity but now has fewer adherents, with 58% identifying as Catholic in 2024 versus 71% in 2013, 14.
## Economic Challenges
Argentina faces high inflation, labor unrest, and austerity measures that have impacted vulnerable groups and public services.
## Pope Leo’s Meeting with Milei
Pope Leo XIV plans to meet with President Milei during his November 2024 visit to Argentina.
## Archbishop’s Concerns
Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva criticizes the government’s austerity policies and their social costs.
## Church’s Stance on Austerity
The Argentine Episcopal Conference says the Church can maintain a constructive relationship with the government while defending vulnerable groups.
## Pilgrimage Trends
Pilgrimages to shrines like Luján draw massive crowds, with over two million participants in the 1982 pilgrimage.
## Francis’s Absence
Pope Francis, born in Argentina, never returned to his homeland during his 12-year papacy.
## Leo’s Priorities
Pope Leo XIV may continue Pope Francis’s focus on inequality, social cohesion, and environmental issues through visits to disability facilities and prisons.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV’s November 2024 visit to Argentina marks the country’s 40th year of democracy and economic challenges after John Paul II’s 1980s trips.