"The largest operation in our history": Milei thanked the security forces for the deployment during the Pope's visit

The president stated that it was the largest operation in the country's history. President Javier Milei described the deployment carried out during the apostolic visit of Leo XIV as the largest security operation in Argentine history and thanked the federal, provincial, and local officers who took part in the protection duties. The president said that the officers allowed millions of people to attend the celebrations "with safety and order." The greeting was transmitted from the Unified Command, which was renamed Pope Leo XIV. There, the head of state, together with the General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei, and the Minister of National Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, highlighted the work of the men and women of the federal and police forces who were assigned to the pontiff's activities. More than 52,000 officers from the federal forces took part in the security coverage along with the papal protection detail, according to statements by spokesman Adrián Ravier after the end of the visit. The official said that the mobilization took place "in peace, order, and harmony." Milei addressed the members of the forces to recognize their performance during the operation. "To all the men and women of the federal forces and the police forces who are working on the operation for the apostolic visit of His Holiness Leo XIV, I want to thank you for your professionalism and for putting your bodies on the line in the assigned task," he said. Javier Milei described the protection of Leo XIV as the largest security operation in Argentine history. (REUTERS/Yara Nardi) The President added: "Thank you for taking care of Argentines. This is the largest security operation in our history." His message included a reference to the pontiff and to the forces that took part in the protection: "Long live the Holy Father, long live the security forces, may the forces of heaven accompany us, and may God bless Argentina." The Ministry of Security shared the presidential greeting on Instagram and specified that the recognition was intended for both the Federal Security Forces and the provincial and local police. The ministry noted that the officers guaranteed massive participation in Leo XIV's activities. The post also thanked the members of the forces for their "commitment, professionalism, and dedication" during the visit. The Unified Command was presented as the space from which the deployment aimed at preserving the orderly development of the gatherings was coordinated. The President spoke from the Ministry of Security. Spokesman Ravier, meanwhile, indicated that the magnitude of the turnout was one of the largest mobilizations recorded in the country. According to his words, the result was due to the "respect for others of the Argentine people" and the work of the officers in charge of security. The spokesman added that Milei visited the offices of the Ministry of Security to personally thank its members. "You took care of the Holy Father," he said when describing the role they fulfilled during Leo XIV's presence. After the activities concluded, Ravier conveyed a message addressed to the pontiff: "To Your Holiness, thank you for coming; we would like to ask you to pray for Argentina." His remarks included the government's positions on issues that, he said, affect society beyond political differences. Among those issues he mentioned the defense of life, the family as the basic unit, work and effort, private initiative, the fight against organized crime, the battle against corruption, and the need to govern for everyone. The spokesman linked those ideas to the economic orientation of the national administration. "Everything the government has done is to put the economy at the service of the people," he said. Ravier argued that fiscal balance is often perceived as a technical concept, but he associated it with the drop in inflation. He also stated that a sound currency and stable prices are part of an economy placed at the service of the population. The official said that, at the start of the current government, universal child allowances were doubled. He also affirmed that the administration uses all available economic policy tools to benefit the people. Ravier rejected the idea that there is a contradiction between the Church's social doctrine and the ideas of freedom, a liberal government, or the market economy. As references, he mentioned Jesús Huerta de Soto and Robert Sirico.