Argentine President Javier Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires as the pope departs for Peru. (Foto: Instagram)
Argentine President Javier Milei appeared emotional as he said goodbye to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires. The two embraced on the airport runway shortly before the pope boarded a flight to Peru. Images of the farewell showed Milei’s emotional reaction, and Argentine media outlets recorded the moment.
Leo XIV’s departure concluded a four-day visit to Argentina. It was the first papal visit to the South American country since 1987, when Pope John Paul II traveled there. The trip also included tributes to Pope Francis, the first Argentine pontiff, who led the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025. Although Francis was born in Buenos Aires, he did not return to Argentina during his papacy.
Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday, Nov. 8, and was welcomed by Milei. The pope and the president held a private meeting at the Casa Rosada, the seat of Argentina’s government. Leo XIV later met with government officials, civil society representatives and diplomats at Palacio Libertad. Before leaving the country, he celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján and thanked Argentinians for their welcome. The service drew a large crowd and was the pope’s final major religious event in Argentina.
The Argentina leg was part of a 12-day apostolic trip through South America. The itinerary began in Uruguay, continued in Argentina and was scheduled to end in Peru, where Leo XIV spent many years as a missionary and bishop. The trip came less than a month after the pope underwent surgery on Oct. 13. Before he traveled, the Vatican said his recovery was progressing well and that there were no medical contraindications to the trip.
