09/07/2026 21:13 - Politica
By imago.com.ar | July 9, 2026
To understand the political climate in Argentina, one must look at the Tedeum, a traditional Catholic mass of thanksgiving held every July 9th to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. This year, marking the 210th anniversary of this historic event, President Javier Milei and his cabinet attended the ceremony at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral. The mass was led by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge García Cuerva, who used his homily to send a strong message to the political leadership about the need to eradicate corruption and intolerance.
However, the Casa Rosada (the seat of the Argentine executive branch) decided to take a low-profile approach. Executive sources assured that the religious speech did not generate internal repercussions and was simply classified as a normal homily. The official strategy focuses on avoiding a new conflict with the Church, especially in a context where the government is hoping for a potential visit from Pope Leo XIV to Argentina.
During his speech, Archbishop García Cuerva spoke about the need to eliminate corruption dens and warned against the path of cruelty towards the most vulnerable. To emphasize the importance of unity among Argentines, he tapped into the festive spirit of the 2026 World Cup and quoted a social media post from the captain of the Argentine National Team, football star Lionel Messi.
Officials at Balcarce 50 (the presidential palace's address) highlighted the closing of García Cuerva's message. The mention of Messi and the call for unity were read as a less confrontational signal, more aligned with the presidential discourse of national pride and togetherness.
The Tedeum was not without controversy within the ruling party itself. La Libertad Avanza (the ruling political coalition) lawmaker Lilia Lemoine labeled the archbishop a Peronist (a reference to the historically dominant political movement in Argentina, often used as a political critique by the current libertarian administration) and described his speeches as hypocritical and boring on her social media accounts. The government quickly distanced itself from the legislator's remarks, ensuring that her opinions are her own responsibility and do not form part of an institutional response.
Following the religious ceremony, President Milei met with his ministers at the Casa Rosada to set the course for the second half of the year. This meeting marked the first gathering of this caliber with Diego Santilli at the helm of the Cabinet Chief of Staff, who assumed the role on June 30, 2026, following the departure of Manuel Adorni.
Presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier reinforced the unity line by calling to leave behind sterile divisions after the President's photo op with allied governors in Tucumán. The government's priority will now focus on unblocking the parliamentary agenda and advancing key projects, such as the reform of the Central Bank's Organic Charter.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
