Pope Leo XIV says a country's progress is measured by how it treats its weakest citizens

In brief

• Pope Leo XIV told a care centre near Buenos Aires that people with disabilities are a blessing, not a burden.
• He said a country's progress is measured by how it looks after its weakest citizens, a remark read as criticism of Argentina's economic policy.
• The same day he met five abuse victims, and the trip then moved on to Peru.

The message at the care centre

Pope Leo XIV visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole, on the edge of Buenos Aires, on Monday. He told those present that people with disabilities are not a burden on society but a blessing (Pokrok krajiny sa meria aj tým, ako sa vie postarať o najslabších občanov, povedal pápež – HNonline.sk).

The pontiff praised the dignity, inclusion and fraternal friendship that he said defined the institution. He also thanked the communities that work to restore the place of people often pushed to the margins. Speaking of the wider society, he said such places had lessons to offer, because modern economies tend to be driven by financial success or by appearance.

Reaction to the economic remarks

The visit came one day after the pope said on arrival in Argentina that the economy should serve people rather than the reverse. He also asked for special attention for the sick and for those disadvantaged socially and medically. AFP read these comments as criticism of Milei's economic course.

Wider context of the trip

On Monday the pope also met five victims of sexual abuse by clergy, speaking with each of them separately for more than an hour, the Vatican said (Pápež Lev XIV. sa v Argentíne stretol s obeťami sexuálneho zneužívania, prisľúbil posilnenie ich ochrany – HNonline.sk). Earlier, a mass on Avenida del Libertador drew what organisers counted as 2.5 million people. The trip continues to Peru, a country the pope regards as his second home after two decades there as a missionary and bishop (Pápež Lev XIV. pricestoval do Peru, svojej druhej vlasti. Navštívi časti krajiny od Amazónie po Andy – HNonline.sk).

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