Pope Leo XIV touched down at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires on Sunday afternoon, beginning a four-day visit to Argentina as the middle leg of his South American tour. The 71-year-old pontiff arrived from Montevideo at 4:30 p.m. local time, where President Javier Milei greeted him at the airport.

This marks the first papal visit to Argentina since John Paul II's trip in 1987. Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, will spend time in Buenos Aires, Claypole, Luján, and Córdoba before departing for Peru on Wednesday. His schedule includes institutional meetings, public Masses, and encounters with religious leaders, workers, and young people.

Following his arrival, the pope visited the Monument to General José de San Martín in Plaza San Martín. He then proceeded to the Casa Rosada presidential palace for a welcome ceremony and a private meeting with Milei at approximately 5:50 p.m. Later that evening, he addressed government officials, civil society representatives, and diplomats at Palacio Libertad.

The visit occurs during Milei's presidency, with the right-wing leader having extended an invitation earlier in the year. Argentine authorities declared national interest in the trip and established limited holidays to accommodate public events. Two nationwide broadcasts were planned for key moments, including the Milei meeting and a Monday Mass in Palermo.

Leo XIV's itinerary continues Monday with a visit to a disability care center in Claypole and a large public Mass. He travels to Córdoba on Tuesday for another Mass and returns to Buenos Aires for additional engagements before flying to Peru, where he previously served as a missionary and bishop.

The tour follows Leo XIV's recovery from recent lung surgery and underscores his focus on the region, including stops in Uruguay earlier in the week. Security and logistics preparations involved coordination between Vatican advance teams and Argentine officials.