Pope Leo XIV landed at Jorge Newbery International Airport in Buenos Aires at 16:33 local time.
“We want to warmly welcome you to Argentine airspace,” the control tower broadcast as the aircraft touched down.
From the air traffic control tower of Jorge Newbery Airport, we want to warmly welcome you to Argentine airspace. It is a huge joy for all Argentines to welcome you to our country. Your presence fills us with warm feelings and has deep meaning for our people. Welcome to Argentina, Holy Father!
The Pope had departed from Carrasco Airport in Uruguay at 15.52 local time.
Argentine President Javier Milei and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Michael Wallace Banach greeted the pontiff upon his arrival. Following the tarmac welcome, the Pope visited the General San Martín and Independence Army monument on the evening of November 8.
The itinerary then moved to Casa Rosada, where an official welcoming ceremony took place in the presence of President Milei. After a private discussion, Pope Leo XIV delivered an address to local government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
The day concluded with a trip to the apostolic nunciature and a private meeting with local members of the Augustinian order.
The Latin American trip follows a recent cancer surgery where doctors removed a malignant tumor. Doctors provided encouraging news that the malignant tumor has not spread and no additional treatment is currently necessary. The first stop of the journey was Uruguay, where the Pope last visited 40 years ago.
In contrast to Uruguay—where Catholics make up 33% of the population—Argentina is the homeland of former Pope Francis, though Francis did not visit during his 12-year rule. The third stop, Peru, is familiar territory: Leo XIV arrived there as a missionary in the 1980s, later served as bishop, and acquired Peruvian citizenship.
The foreign trip has brought renewed attention to leadership procedures within the Catholic Church during papal illness.
Canon law lacks a permanent papal deputy or a clear procedure to determine when a pontiff is no longer capable of fulfilling duties due to prolonged illness. While Benedict XVI’s 2013 resignation set a precedent for stepping down due to health, canon 332 requires that a resignation be voluntary and properly manifested, leaving open questions if illness prevents the Pope from expressing his will.
The Pope landed at Jorge Newbery International Airport at 16:33 local time on November 8.
Argentine President Javier Milei and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Michael Wallace Banach met the pontiff upon his arrival.
The apostolic journey includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.