Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Buenos Aires Community Shows Catholic Church's Opposition to Milei's Policies
Ciudad Papa Francisco is a network of working-class neighborhoods in La Matanza, outside Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The area has a parish-led complex with schools, sports clubs, senior centers, community kitchens and job training.
Father Nicolas Angelotti has helped build the community project over nearly 10 years, using social services to bring residents together.
The project has become a symbol of the Church's opposition to President Javier Milei's far-right libertarian policies.
Residents chose the name in 2025 to honor Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025 and was born in Argentina.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Buenos Aires, and a mural in the neighborhood depicts him alongside Francis.
Ciudad Papa Francisco, a group of working-class neighborhoods outside Buenos Aires, has become a symbol of the Catholic Church’s opposition to President Javier Milei’s policies.
The San José parish has turned former wastelands and dumps into an educational, sports and social complex.
The project emphasizes solidarity between generations, education, inclusion and self-management.
Residents took a proposal to rename the area Ciudad Papa Francisco to the Buenos Aires provincial legislature in August 2025.
A mural depicts Popes Francis and Leo XIV with the words “Francisco and León, one heart.”
- Who
- Residents and the San José parish, led by parish priest Father Nicolas “Tano” Angelotti. The project is presented as a symbol of the Catholic Church’s opposition to Milei’s policies.
- What
- A parish-led social complex serves working-class neighborhoods, and residents sought to name the area Ciudad Papa Francisco.
- When
- Residents brought the naming proposal to the provincial legislature in August 2025. Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires on November 8.
- Where
- La Matanza district, about 10 kilometers west of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Why
- The project focuses on solidarity between generations, education, inclusion and self-management, and residents sought to claim Pope Francis’s legacy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Father Nicolas “Tano” Angelotti has traveled the neighborhoods in his van while leading the social undertaking.
Pope Francis led the Catholic Church.
Residents, with support from local dioceses, brought a proposal to rename the area Ciudad Papa Francisco to the Buenos Aires provincial legislature.
Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires.
- Location
- La Matanza district, about 10 kilometers west of Buenos Aires
- Area
- 13 hectares
- Facilities
- Nine clubs, a swimming pool, three elementary schools and two middle and high schools
- Community services
- Six senior centers, community canteens, a bakery and a meal production center
- Naming proposal
- Residents presented it to the Buenos Aires provincial legislature in August 2025
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What people are saying
Francisco and León, one heart